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Comment by alex_sf | Hacker News Reader

Utah has the strongest legal protections for MLMs/Pyramid Schemes/etc. in the country [1].

The demand for that safe harbor and the political will to pass it is largely a result of Mormonism. The hierarchy of the church discourages anyone from criticizing the next level 'above' them. There is also strong societal pressure for Mormon wives to be stay-at-home mothers, but the economic reality means they often need to find some way to make additional money. Add that to the Mormon mission system, and you have a vast number of people comfortable making cold calls (whether for Elohim or doTERRA).

[1] https://quackwatch.org/mlm/legal/utahbill/

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I'm not sure about the "mission system" part. Most of the MLM people I encountered in Utah did not come through the "mission system." I kinda discount the church hierarchy theory, too. The point about stay at home moms carries water, I think. There aren't a lot of ways to make money while raising a 1, 4, and 7 year old. You can let somebody else raise them while you work. Or... you could have a playdoh party at your house. You can have your one-year-old on your lap while you explain to the other mothers (who are playing with their children as you talk) why they need the rainbow castle addon to the playdoh kingdom set.

A couple fingernail kit / vitamin / kitchenware / scented candle / whatever parties might promise to make you $500. That could pay for a month of piano lessons. Your old dental hygienist job didn't let you bring your kids to work and only work 4 hours on two Saturdays a month. I guess you could give it a try once. And who couldn't use a new cheese grater?

I totally see your points and I agree.

> I'm not sure about the "mission system" part.

Here's my (subjective and likely limited) perspective: the LDS church has a culture that heavily emphasizes missionary efforts. Young adult men active in the church are expected to serve missions. Most of my female friends/family who are active members are taught to marry active men who have returned home from missions. My opinion is that that missionary culture saturates even those women who have not served who are active members (especially if they have married a former missionary) and I would imagine that bolsters their willpower to persistently push these products. Additionally, there is a busy-body culture (that I also feel is heavily influenced by missionary culture) I have noticed to be always engaged in good things and I would imagine for a lot of women making money fits that mold.

I may be totally wrong, but that's a theory that makes sense to me and lines up with my experiences.

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