Something's missing from story on Mormon prophets' moms

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Just in time for Mother's Day, the LDS Church's magazine for children intends to show how much the faith's leaders revered the women who gave them life.

The May issue of the Friend carries this article by Lori M. Johansen, "Remembering Mothers: Stories From Our Prophets." It recounts how these moms sacrificed for their sons, nurtured them in faith, gave money to the poor and more.

Each brief anecdote is attached to a particular Mormon prophet — Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson.

There's one problem: The mothers themselves remain nameless.

Is that the best way for kids to "remember" them?

Peggy Fletcher Stack