Mormons rejected as Scout leaders

Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C.

A Presbyterian church was happy to have Jeremy and Jodi Stokes as Cub Scout leaders, at least until officials there found out they are Mormons and told them they would have to step down because the church does not consider them real Christians.

The Stokeses enrolled their sons as Scouts at Christ Covenant Church, a Presbyterian congregation, then expressed interest in volunteering as leaders. Church officials initially were thrilled earlier this month, the Stokeses said, until they saw on the couple’s application forms that they belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After two Scout meetings, the Stokeses were told their sons, 6 and 8 years old, could remain in their packs, but the parents couldn’t serve as leaders.

The Stokeses’ story was first reported in the Charlotte Observer.

Christ Covenant spokeswoman Stelle Snyder said in an e-mail Tuesday the church was taking action to “assure that our parameters for leaders are clearly defined and well-communicated to volunteers and those interested in leadership roles for church-sponsored programs such as the Boy Scouts.”

The e-mail included a link to a site explaining the differences between Mormon and historical Christian doctrine. Snyder declined to comment further but said the church wishes the Stokes family well.

Members of the Salt Lake City-based LDS church strongly identify as Christians. But significant theological differences separate Mormons from most Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches.