Mormons in Business

Healthy Business

Religion is a major influence on how Mormons conduct business. A belief in the Mormon faith impacts relationships with employees, business partners, and competitors. It influences the manner in which businessmen and women handle leadership, power, and their personal wealth. The Mormon Church has a lay clergy. That is, all except the highest leadership of the Church serve in temporary callings. These callings range from managing church organization in a region of the world, to serving as a bishop (like a pastor or rabbi/temple president combined) of a congregation, to teaching Sunday School, to leading the choir, to working in the nursery and teaching toddlers. People do not necessarily “move up” in their callings. A man might serve as a bishop for five years, which is a tremendous amount of responsibility, and then be called to serve in the nursery. Leadership follows the example of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon. As King Benjamin knew he was approaching the end of his life, he called his people to a conference and addressed them:

“I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.

“I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you; Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—

“And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day” (Mosiah 2:11-14, italics added).

Due to his or her beliefs, example, and pattern of service in the Church, a Mormon businessman or woman expects that to lead well, he or she must serve. The axiom is, “the leader of all is the servant of all.” Throughout a Mormon’s lifetime, he or she will be called to serve in a variety of callings. They will work with children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. They gain experience working with people of all ages, background, and different challenges. Those who choose to serve a full-time mission for the Church abandon all worldly pursuits during their time of service, and concentrate solely on teaching the gospel and providing community service. There are leadership positions within each mission, which again, demand more service.

Because callings in the Church are temporary and various, Mormons adapt easily to leadership and followership. Thus, even the most ambitious are willing and able to work inside a structure, participate well in groups, and fill a supportive position. In fact, seasoned Mormons can switch from leadership to followership instantly.

Church structure also is a good model for business. The Mormon Church has a structure unlike any other church. Led by a prophet and twelve apostles who are called by God and do not vie for position, the Church also has several quorums of seventy who serve as leaders all over the world. Stakes are groups of congregations with their own leadership, and wards are congregations formed geographically. Thus, members do not choose which congregation to belong to according to whim. Within each ward there are auxiliary organizations serving men (priesthood, since all worthy men are able to hold this priesthood power), women (relief society, the largest and oldest women’s organization in the world), youth, and children. A pattern of communication is established from the bottom-up, since men go two-by-two and women go two-by-two into the homes of members monthy to assess needs and are the first contacted when families are in need. Communication flows in an organized manner from the top down, also. Twice a year an all-church general conference is held with five two-hour sessions that are broadcast all over the world. The leadership of the Church addresses the world-wide membership in this manner, but also guides downward through area representatives, stake, and ward leadership. This is why Mormons are able to mobilize so quickly for disaster relief efforts, and why they are able to cooperate so well.

Standards of ethics and honesty are also stressed in the Church and therefore in the business world. A Mormon who is dishonest in his or her business dealings cannot gain a “recommend” to enter a Mormon temple. Many businesses purposefully hire Mormons for this reason and the general knowledge that Mormons live cleanly — they do not smoke or drink, and have a moral code that proscribes sex outside of marriage.

Mormons in Business

Healthy Business

Pages