Hard work, prayer make a perfect mix

The debate between nature vs. nurture is dead, or so believes David Shenk, who argues that genetics play a part but not as much as the environment we are raised in.

He contends that our brain is reshaped by nurture and experience, thus the title of his book "The Genius in All of Us."

He writes of the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, saying he was a product of his very talented father, Leopold, who realized the talent in his very young son and put aside his own career to put his son forward.

Leopold made a financial decision because "Wolfgang's youth made him a potentially lucrative attraction. … From the age of three … Wolfgang had an entire family driving him to excel with a powerful blend of instruction, encouragement and constant practice. He was expected to be the pride and financial engine of the family, and he did not disappoint."

Shenk says that because of Mozart's skill at an early age, he dazzled royalty, who then paid the bills.

"The reality about Mozart turns out to be far more interesting and far less mysterious," Shenk writes. "His early achievements — while very impressive, to be sure — actually make good sense considering his extraordinary upbringing. And his later undeniable genius turns out to be a wonderful advertisement for the power of process. …Like a brilliant soufflé, all of these ingredients must be present in just the right quantity and mixed with just the right timing and flair."

In other words, Mozart had the genes but also had a father who trained and pushed him; Mozart was willing to be pushed, and that produced a musical genius.

Since we're about to celebrate Pioneer Day, my thoughts after reading Shenk's turned to the pioneers and Brigham Young.

Then I found this interesting comment from the biographer M.R. Werner:

"Without Brigham Young, the Mormons would never have been important after the first few years of their institutional life, but without the Mormons, Brigham Young might have been a great man."

Irving Stone, in his book "Men to Match My Mountains," added to Werner's statement. "A close study of the life and work of Brigham Young proves him to be one of the most brilliantly resourceful executives to rise in the United States."

To a practicing Mormon, these statements, while containing truth of Young's genius, are quite silly because these men didn't factor in divine guidance.