JOEL - Here is a statement from the leaders of our church regarding roles of married couples:
"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and the protection of their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation." (Proclamation on the Family, 1995)
Our Church puts great importance on the role of mothers concerning nurturuing their children, especially during the early years through adolesence. In the ideal setting both the mother and father share in providing for the care and nurturing of their children. But it is the father whose primary responsibility it is to provide for the material needs of the family.
Schooling for LDS women has been encouraged not only for their own fulfillment and achievement but also for its value in helping them make the home a place of learning and refinement for their children. Even though training and education may open many career opportunities for women, the role of mother is more important for those who have young children, and they are urged to use their training to benefit their children. The Church does not oppose women working outside the home, and recognizes the contributions that they make in government, professions, business, and in creative fields.
Some of the top women leaders of our church have had succesful educational and professional lives. All of them have had some college education and many of them have advanced degrees. Kathleen Hughs of the Church Relief Society presidency earned a Masters degree and worked for 14 years with Provo Utah School District, including personnel director, assistant superintendent and director of special education. Sheri L. Dew who earned a Bachelor's degree is vice president of publishing for Deseret Book Co.; former associate publisher, This People magazine; former assistant editor, Bookcraft Publishers. Coleen Menlove, Church Primary President has a Masters degree in education.
Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve explained that "a woman should feel free to go into the marketplace and into community service on a paid or volunteer basis if she so desires when her home and family circumstances allow her to do so without impairment to them" (Ashton, Marvin J. "Woman's Role in the Community." 1979, p. 93).
It is understood that some mothers are required to work for the support of their children, but it is hoped that whenever possible, mothers with children in the home will make home their priority career. LDS President Spencer W. Kimball, counseled every girl and woman to: "qualify in two vocations—that of homemaking, and that of preparing a living outside the home, if and when the occasion requires. A married woman may become a widow without warning…. Thus a woman may be under the necessity of earning her own living and helping to support her dependent children" (Ensign 7 [Mar. 1977]:59)
You ask the question are "mormon women allowed to have a job". For this issue it is not a matter of "allowing" them to have a job or not. This is a decision that they must make for themselves based on their own circumstances and what I have explained above. If their profession does not impair the nurturing and care of their children then there is nothing wrong with it. But this type of decission is one that must be made between the woman, her husband, and God..