Church leaders and the expectation of Eagle Scout

Was it ever taught that every young man should be an Eagle Scout?

Yes—leaders did at times teach Eagle Scout as an expectation for Latter-day Saint boys and young men, though the wording varied.

• In 1951, Ezra Taft Benson said, “Every L.D.S. boy should enjoy the blessings of effective scouting,” after calling Eagle-rank requirements preparation for life comparable to a four-year high-school course. This urged universal participation in Scouting, but did not literally say that every boy must earn Eagle. [1]
• In 1986, Benson directly told Aaronic Priesthood young men: “Become an Eagle Scout. Do not settle for mediocrity in the great Scouting program of the Church.” This is the clearest general-leader instruction that Eagle should be a goal for young men. [2]
• Earlier statements could be still stronger in local application: in an October 1982 general conference address, Bishop C. Frederick Pingel urged bishops to “encourage a tradition of Eagles” and praised boys who continued working on Eagle badges through their teenage years. [3]
• Other Church leaders framed Eagle as an aspirational outcome rather than a universal requirement. In 1982, Robert L. Backman said the trail to Eagle helped a young man set and achieve worthwhile goals; in 2017, the First Presidency said young men over 14 who desired to continue toward Eagle or Queen Scout should be encouraged and supported. [4][5]

So, Eagle Scout was repeatedly promoted as a high ideal and, in Benson’s 1986 address, directly urged of Aaronic Priesthood young men. The statements do not establish an across-the-board rule that every young man was required to attain the rank. [1][2][4][5]

Sources

1. A Natural Source of Energy Louise Spencer — The Improvement Era, Volume 54, Number 4 (April 1951), 1951, Improvement Era 54, no. 4 (April 1951), pp. 253–255 — Periodical
2. To the “Youth of the Noble Birthright” — Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1986, 1986 — Official Church
3. Activating Young Men of the Aaronic Priesthood — C. Frederick Pingel, General Conference, October 1982, 1982 — Official Church
4. Revitalizing Aaronic Priesthood Quorums — Robert L. Backman, General Conference, October 1982, 1982 — Official Church
5. First Presidency letter on Young Men program changes, 2017 — First Presidency Letters, Collected Letters, 1947 — Official Church