Dear Bobwhites:
The month of January marks the 74th year since Lord Baden Powell died. He passed January 8th 1941 in Kenya. Among his personal papers was found this note to scouts everywhere. Knowing that one day he would die, and knowing that a man's last words convey the most sacred and heart felt yearnings he thought ahead enough to write them down. His letter is addressed to scouts everywhere:
Dear Scouts,
If you have ever seen the play Peter Pan you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of goodbye.
Remember, it is the last you will ever hear from me, so think it over.
I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.
I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.
Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one. But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout promise always - even after you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.
Your Friend,
Baden-Powell
BP got it right. Life is about being happy. Joseph Smith said, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God." Joseph emphasized keeping the commandments and being clean. BP emphasized living the scout promise serving others. Both are precepts of the Savior for true and everlasting happiness.
So how do we help boys get it?
I have been so worried about a group of 20 teachers in our ward, particularly the leadership. The boys who are currently in leadership positions are indeed natural leaders, but not necessarily in positive ways. I wanted to do something that would make a difference for them this Christmas season. So, following Ammon's example from the Book of Mormon, I caught them with guile a little and told them all that I was going to take them for ice cream and to do some bonding as a presidency. I didn't tell them that the ice cream would be by way of the Bishop's Storehouse after an hour of service there. Fast Sunday's are not always the best when it comes to teachers helping deacons with routes. I wanted these boys to see what their efforts on a cold Sunday morning looked like.
When I first told them where we were going there was some resistance. Once we got there it was awkward and uncomfortable for the first 10-15 minutes until the boys got assignments and started working. Then a wonderful sister missionary came in the door with a large food order and grabbed our Teacher's Quorum President by the arm and asked if he could help her. She had him running all over the store grabbing cans and toilet paper and produce and whatever else she needed. Boys were helping members out to their cars and unloading, they were pulling and counting to the check out volunteers, they were sweeping and vacuuming and stocking shelves. After the initial shock of it and hesitation they were running around with smiles on their faces and engaged in serving others. It was great to see and something I want to repeat again and again. Truly, they received happiness through serving others.
As we begin a new year I hope each of you remains dedicated to teaching the young men the values of the scouting program. I hope you can give them opportunities for meaningful service so they feel that they are genuinely needed. I fear that all too often our boys don't feel like they are necessary or needed. We live in a world of comfort and ease so we must find opportunities for them to feel needed and wanted. If we can, even if they fight against it, they will soon come to realize how much they can contribute and how much they are indeed needed.
God bless you all as we embark on this new year. I look forward to meeting with you all very soon. I promise you all I think of you often and am praying for your success. Please let me know how things are going with your tickets and what experiences you have had. Next patrol meeting I will be there rain or shine!
YIS -
Tom Brand
The Regal Eagle
