Recently I came across this article while looking for another. It discusses how despite how small the Mormon population is in America there is a surprisingly high percentage of Mormon’s holding high ranking business positions. The articles author Michelle Lodge ties it to missionary work, claiming that after the difficult work of knocking doors to mostly uninterested folk for two years any other business enterprise seems easier in comparison. She makes the point that most of these prominent businessmen are just that, men. She states: “The business success among Mormons is almost entirely male, partly because the church believes that the faith is best served if women devote their time to home and family. But another reason has to do with the training that young Mormon men receive and then put to use later in business.”

I came away from this article with a strange but powerful feeling that the author had short-sided herself by narrowing her attention too much. Yes, I believe that missionary work is a powerful influence in young mens’ lives. Anyone who has seen a brother or friend leave and return knows that two years spent learning to love strangers,  serve others, and stay close to the spirit does wonders. However, her brief mention of womens’ role in the home is not given enough attention.

I belief that one of the main reasons why there are so many successful LDS businessmen- or successful anything for that matter, is because more often than not those men had a mother that was there for them when they needed it, who gave them the attention, support, and love that they needed to believe they could do anything. They had mothers who challenged them, taught them, and helped them believe that risks were worth taking, and hardships worth overcoming. Those young men wouldn’t have gone on missions in the first place if it hadn’t been for those strong mothers, and fathers at home.

A few weeks ago I attended a lesson that my sister Cassie taught on “Womanhood.” She delivered a powerful and thought-provoking lesson that I have pondered on several times since. I came away feeling more than ever that women pervade all of society- for better or worse. Sure history is not lined with the names of great women- it need not to. History is full of the acts and products of great women.

Are there individuals that rise up and find success despite horrible upbringings- yes, but always there is at least one person, and often a woman, whether it be a school teacher, or a grandmother that believed and offered the quiet support that was essential to their own belief.

The disintegration of powerful mothers in the home, and lessened view of motherhood as a career is one of the great steps backward our society has made.