Elizabeth Smart has been found, and she’s alive!
We don’t know any more details than are in the article, but. . .wow. I’ll definitely be watching this story develop.
Apparently there’s going to be a news conference soon.
The kid’s going to need some serious counseling, but it’s better than *I* had ever hoped for.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Leslie // Mar 12, 2003 at 4:36 pm
I was totally stunned when I read that about an hour ago. I called my mom over to the computer and said, “They found her, alive!” My mom was stunned beyond belief too.
Miracles do happen!
2 laura // Mar 12, 2003 at 7:18 pm
My mom called me and I was floored. I am SOOO Happy! Not as happy as the Smart family though. I then called my neighbor and friend from preschool to share the news. All of us are so excited.
3 Eliz/Lou // Mar 12, 2003 at 7:27 pm
I’m such a sinic. Why do I think there is more to this story then we will ever be told?
4 Nicole // Mar 13, 2003 at 6:43 am
I was quite happy. At first I was thinking…have they positively identified her as Elizabeth…or is it someone that just resembles her? I was at work when I found out, and everyone on the floor was huddled around the radios. Then people started speculating, like “well, it’s been nine months. I bet she’s pregnant and ready to deliver.” Thank heavens that was just a false assumption. Anyways, I’m glad she’s safe.
5 Dave // Mar 13, 2003 at 9:08 am
I went to High School with Ed Smart, Elizabeth’s father. I also knew her uncle, Tom Smart. They live in the part of town I grew up in, and know well. So I have a deep personal feeling about this bizarre story.
For those of you outside of Utah, you should know that the Smarts are devout Mormons. This fact interjects a dynamic into the story that may not be fully appreciated for those not faithful to the Mormon church.
There is some speculation that the kidnapper took Elizabeth as a second wife (polygamy). It is also possible that she was taken to replace a daughter that left the couple years ago (this daughter was interviewed on the local news).
In any event, that fact that she is alive at all, I believe is the result of the fact that she was taken by a religious fanatic and self proclaimed prophet rather than the typical sex maniac or psychopath that we usually hear about. While this is not the norm for Mormons, thank heaven, ee do see our share of it her in Utah.
(I could tell you quite a story about another man and his family I knew many years ago, who called himself Immanuel David. He and his entire family committed suicide, the mother and the 6 children stepping off the roof of a 10 story building, plunging to their death)
In any event, Elizabeth, you may be right. We may never know everything that happened. But please don’t assume that this 14 year old girl is like some of the typical teenagers you have seen on network television.
She is very typical of a faithful, virtuous Mormon girl, who doubtless would have little motivations of running away or some of the other speculations I have heard. Strong Mormon families have their problems for sure, but in this case I have been very impressed with the composure, faith, and chairty exhibited by Ed Smart and his family. It is certainly different than the norm.
Also being a cynic, I wonder if she will ever be able to live a normal life again. But there will be a large measure of resiliency and strengh derived from her faith and the faith of her family.
The bizzare part of this case is the kidnapper, not the family.
Leave a Comment