Century of Honor

This year marks the 100 year association between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Boy Scouts of America. The celebration's theme was a reflection of the Church and Scouting and how the values and principles have remained constant during the last 100 years of partnership.  The church put on a wonderful celebration, and really told the story of scouting and what a blessing it is to the lives of young men through out the country.  

Our older boys Landon and Mason have been involved in scouting since they turned 8 years old.  They have learned and experience so much from their involvement in scouting and this past summer right before we moved they were awarded their Eagle Scout award.  We had a very busy spring completing two eagle projects in our family.  Landon worked hard with many volunteers landscaping the courtyard of his middle school.  Mason held a book drive for a homeless resource center and was able to collect over 1500 books to donate.  Both of them did the majority of this work and we were so proud of the work and effort they put forth to accomplish these big tasks.  

A few weeks after settling in to Utah, Zeke had read on the church news website that they were accepting applications for participation in an Eagle Scout choir that would perform during a celebration broadcast the church was putting on at the end of October.  The requirements were you needed to be an Eagle Scout, have singing experience, and live within 100 mile radius of SLC. This opportunity seemed to fit Landon and Mason.  Both love scouting and have been involved in school choirs and performances.  They submitted the application and were accepted a few days before the first practice.  There were 8 practices over the course of 6 weeks, so our family or either just Zeke or I would make the drive to SLC weekly.  Sometimes we would stop over at Grandma and Grandpa Evans, sometimes we would do some shopping for things for the house, attend a session at the SLC temple, or just sit in the conference center and watch the practice.   This was a busy time for our family but very awarding none the less! 

Many of the practices went late on school nights, and adding an hour drive to that was a big sacrifice for these 9th grade boys!  But sitting where the tabernacle choir sits, singing for the Prophet, celebrating scouting and being part of something wonderful was all worth it.

To watch the entire broadcast it can be view here: http://www.scouts100.lds.org/

The 90 minute program started off with two Boy Scouts rappelling from the rafters down the stage carrying the American and Boy Scout Flags.  Trumpeters, located throughout the Conference Center, sounded the call to attention. A choir of adorable Cub Scouts ran on to the stage and sang the national anthem and a Scout led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.  

An impressive color guard.  

Primary President Rosemary M. Wixon
YM General President David L. Beck

Trumpet Opening

Landon and Mason sang 5 songs during the broadcast.  They are found below.
3rd row from the top two over from the outside.

They sang their hearts out.  

A fun song that was added after rehearsal started was "Mom you earned your Eagle".  This was a tribute to the moms of scouts.  I loved it! 

The performance was top notch.  Very touching and entertaining.  

Even a kayak came from above, close to Landon and Mason

President Thomas S. Monson was in attendance and received recognition for his lifetime support and exemplary leadership of scouting.  It was also announced that the new Leadership Excellence Complex  being constructed in West Virginia will be named after Thomas S. Monson.   A well deserving man!

Another surprise of the night was the tabernacle choir.  They joined the program and treated us with 3 American Classics.  

For the finale the all scouts in the program walked onto the stage singing 

"On my Honor", it was powerful and gave me goose bumps to see men and boys sing a song about serving their fellowmen,  upholding the laws of this great land, and fulfill their scared duty to God.  

Our family truly enjoyed this experience and we were so glad Landon and Mason were able to be part of something so great!


Stay tune for an experience our family will never forget that happened right after the performance.........