A Scout Is Loyal 2

A scout is loyal- "A scout is true to his family, friends, scout leaders, school, nation [and God]..."

Damon and Philip were the best of friends. They had grown up together and had always loved and trusted each other like brothers. As they became men Philip began to speak out against their king telling people that he was a tyrant. Eventually Philip was arrested by the king's men, charged with treason and sentenced to death. The king asked Philip if he had any last requests, and Philip said "let me go back to my home town, say good-by to my wife, and put all my things in order." The king laughed and said "you think I'm a fool? If I let you leave this city you will leave and never come back." Damon, who had watched all the proceedings, came forward and said "I will stand in his place while he is gone." The king said "you know that if he does not come back you will die in his place?" Damon replied "he is my friend and I trust him- He will return." So the king put Damon in prison to wait for Philip to return.

Days went by and Philip had not returned, so the king went down to the prison to gloat over Damon that he was soon going to die because Philip was not coming back. Damon told the king "I know that he will return. The only reason that he would be delayed is if some problems are holding him back." The king couldn't believe that he still was trusting and believing in his friend.

The day arrived and Damon was brought to the executioner. The king laughed at him and said "how do you feel about your friend now that he did not return." No sooner had the king said this then a shout was heard through the crowd and Philip ran up and embraced Damon. He explained that his ship had wrecked and that he had been attacked by robbers, but that all he could think about was getting back to Damon. Philip turned to the king and said "I am ready to face my death."

The king listened to this story with surprise then said "I revoke the sentence. I did not believe that such friendship and loyalty could exist between two friends, and it is only right that you should both be rewarded with your freedom. I only ask on thing- that I too can be part of so worthy of a friendship."

Be the kind of friend; the kind of scout who is loyal

A Scout is Loyal

In 1834 Joseph Smith lead an army of 200 men on a 1000 mile march from Kirtland Ohio to Western Missouri to help restore the saints to their homes in Jackson County. They had the support of the governor of Missouri.

George A. Smith, a cousin to Joseph, was the youngest in this Zion's camp army at 16 years old. He did not have good self confidence; he was big and awkward. He would compare himself to his cousin and he felt like he was lacking. If you saw him, you would understand how he could feel that way. He showed up to camp with striped pants his mother made him from mattress fabric and a checkered nap sack made from apron material. His dad gave him a new pair of boots and an old musket. After a few days of marching, his boots had worn bloody blisters on his feet; his pants were shredded; and he had sat on his straw hat making it look like a birds nest sitting on his head. He really didn't look much like a warrior.

They marched 25 to 40 miles per day, had poor food, and couldn't sleep well at night because of all the hot humid weather with lots of flies and mosquitoes. George said that the prairie water had "wigglers" in it that he learned to sift through his teeth when he drank...

When they arrived at their destination Joseph found out that the Governor had withdrawn his support from their venture, and as a result the mission's purpose was frustrated. Some of the men were angry and turned against Joseph. He was concerned that if they were not faithful something bad might happen. Cholera broke out and 68 people were taken ill and 14 died. Among those that died was Jesse Smith a cousin to both Joseph and George. George didn't think he could ever live up to the kind of man that Jesse was...

The trip was not wasted, because those like George who were loyal despite the hardships gained strength and leadership. Less than five years later at the age of 21 George A. Smith was ordained an apostle and spent the rest of his life as a loyal and faithful leader.

From Gospel Principals Manual- When we have charity we are loyal, we believe the best of others, and we are kind to them.

From Aaronic Priesthood manual 3- Sacrificing for Heavenly Father shows our willingness to be obedient and loyal to him at all costs.

From Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood- We should be loyal to our own country and people and do all we can to help... meet the needs of the people

A scout is Loyal!