LDS Church Issues Response to Boy Scouts Decision

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)-Tuesday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints responded to the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to include transgender scouts in the organization, which was announced Monday.

The Salt Lake City-based faith, which is the nation’s largest sponsor of the BSA and has 15 million members worldwide, said it will study the announcement made by the BSA.

The Church’s statement asserts that the BSA has always assured religious organizations that they can organize their troops in a manner consistent with their beliefs.

Recently, the statement continues, the Church has made several changes to its programs for youth and continues to look for ways it can better serve its families and young people worldwide.

The Church remained affiliated with the BSA despite a 2015 ruling that allowed troop leaders to be gay.