“A Scout is trustworthy. A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.” ~The Boy Scout Handbook, 12th Edition.
The first point of the Scout law sets a very high standard for all Scouts. What does it mean to be “worthy of trust”. In short, it means that your word is your bond. It means that your “yes” means “yes” and your “no” means “no”.
It is easy to trust others, we do it every day. I trust that my boss is going to pay me twice a month for the work I do. I trust that other drivers are going to stop at the red lights. These kinds of trust are based on past behaviors, but more importantly, they are enforced either by laws or by a contract. I have a contract with my boss in which I provide a service to him and
he provides me with a paycheck. Our society has driving laws and if you do not obey them, you could get a ticket, lose your drivers license, or even go to jail.
For a Scout, being trustworthy is not enforced by a law or a contract, it is enforced by a Scout’s honor. It is a serious matter when we say “On my honor . . .”. Honor is the only true collateral that a Scout has to offer. That is why it is a serious matter to maintain your honor in all situations. Be a person who can be trusted not only to do what you say you will do, but also to do the right thing in all situations. Once lost, you honor can be difficult if not impossible to regain. When you lose your honor, the Scout oath and the Scout Law lose their meaning and their strength.
Many people have placed their trust in you: At home, at School, at Scouts and in many other situations. Maintain your honor by following through on your promises and always be worthy of trust.
BSA Troop 204 