The Divine Role of Women

I was studying for my religion class today and came across a quote by President Ezra Taft Benson that jumped off the page at me.  Here it is:

“The first priority for a woman is to prepare herself for her  divine and eternal mission, whether she is married soon or late. It is folly to neglect that preparation for education in unrelated fields just to prepare temporarily to earn money. Women, when you are married it is the husband’s role to provide, not yours. Do not sacrifice your preparation for an eternally ordained mission for the temporary expediency of money-making skills which you may or may not use” (Ezra Taft Benson, “In His Steps,” 64).

I absolutely love this quote!  I feel though that some people may get the wrong impression from it or misinterpret it.  He is not saying women should not get an education or not look for ways to provide for themselves.  He is saying men have the primary role to provide for the support of a family and women should always keeps in mind their ultimate preparation of being a wife and mother.  I believe that a woman can get caught up in having a career and seeking ways to make more money and look for lucrative business opportunities that could be demeaning to their character.  I should mention that the brethren of the church are aware of circumstances where women are in the work force and they are supportive of this.  Let me say, however, that I have been in the work force for the last 7 years and worked with many wonderful, talented women who would really rather be home with their kids.

After I returned home from my mission, I got a job working in the accounting department of one of the top oil and gas companies in all of Canada.  I excelled in the job and did well.  I worked there for a year and a half and learned something about myself.  I remember talking with my mom and telling her the more I am in the workforce the less appealing being a homemaker and mother seemed to me.  This notion did actually frighten me as I know it went against my divine role.  This also helped motivate me to return to school and leave the job.  Again, I reiterate that it is at times necessary for women to work and that is okay.  President Benson gave this caution:

"Working mothers should remember that their children usually need more of mother than of money” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 24).

There are so many other great quotes from prophets on this subject matter.  I would also refer you to read "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

I am grateful for the divine roles of men and women!