Mormon Life - Elizabeth Smart tag

{LDSL Blog} Best of: Stories of the Week, Feb. 18-24

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:05:00 -0700

by LDS Living
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Check out which stories made up the best of LDS Living for the week of February 18 through February 24, 2012.

We all love a good story. And what better way to find out the best of the best than seeing what people found most interesting? For the week of February 18 through February 24, 2012, these are LDS Living’s top online stories:

Top 5 LDS Living Stories:

1. {Food Dish} Cookie Recipe Contest: Winner + Recipe {LDS Living}

2. {Food Dish} LDS Living Casserole Competition: Winner + Recipe {LDS Living}

3. FHE: Preparation {Shauna Gibby}

4. {Food Dish} LDS Living in the Kitchen: Lion House Cookies {LDS Living}

5. He's Amazing and Still Single - WHY? {Alisa Snell}

Top 5 Mormon Report Articles:

1. Elizabeth Smart marries in Hawaii temple {Deseret News}

2. Slate maps out population of Mormons in America {Slate}

3. BYU students help uncover buried treasures from Provo's first tabernacle torn down in 1919 {Deseret News}

4. LDS Church toughens against 'improper' proxy name submissions {Deseret News}

5. Are Mormons spared from reality? Hardly {Deseret News}

Top Video:

Waiting on Our Road to Damascus {LDS.org}

People magazine to publish Elizabeth Smart wedding photos

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:12:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Beautiful! The bride wore a white dress. The groom a traditional Scottish kilt.

People magazine has the exclusive photos from Elizabeth Smart 's last-minute marriage in Hawaii.

The new issue that hits newsstands on Friday has a picture of Smart in her wedding gown on the cover.

Photos: Elizabeth Smart's Hawaii honeymoon

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:04:00 -0700

source: dailymail.co.uk

Mormon Life says: We truly are so happy for her. Elizabeth Smart and her new husband Matthew Gilmour were spotted for the first time since their quickly-planned Saturday wedding in a Mormon temple in Hawaii.

During their trip to a local grocery store on Monday, the kidnap victim flashed the first view of her impressive and unique wedding ring.

Elizabeth Smart marries in Hawaii temple

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:48:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: She had planned to marry in the summer, but this "secret" wedding allowed her to do it in privacy without the media. We're so happy for her! Elizabeth Smart and Matthew Gilmour were married Saturday on the North Shore of the island of Oahu.

The couple exchanged vows at the Laie Hawaii Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in front of a small group of immediate family members, according to a statement released by Smart family spokesman Chris Thomas.

The wedding party was celebrated at a private reception and luau. Following Saturday's festivities, the couple planned to leave on an extended honeymoon to an undisclosed location.

Elizabeth Smart is engaged; summer wedding is planned

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:13:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Mormon Life says: Congratulations to Elizabeth! Elizabeth Smart is engaged to marry, a family spokesman confirmed Friday.

A summer wedding is planned, said Chris Thomas of the Salt Lake public relations firm Intrepid Group. Thomas would not identify Smart's fiancé nor confirm how the couple met. The pair became engaged this past weekend.

"She has planned to be very public in her child advocacy work but wants to keep the details of her personal life private," Thomas said.

Smart, 24, is "happy and excited for this next chapter in her life," he said.

'My heart is broken' for victims of Penn State child sex abuse scandal, Elizabeth Smart says

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:59:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Kidnapping victim turned child advocate Elizabeth Smart said her heart was broken when she learned of the victims of the Penn State child abuse scandal.

"It makes me feel terrible any time I hear about a child being abused," Smart said at a press conference at the Utah State Capitol Monday afternoon.

But news of the scandal also vaulted her into action. Smart called on President Obama Monday to declare "a national emergency" to rescue children who are victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Elizabeth Smart to speak at conference on child abuse and family violence

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:00 -0700

source: sltrib.com

Two decades ago, children who became crime victims didn’t have an inviting place to talk about what they’d endured.

They were brought to a police station, sat down in an interrogation room and often felt frightened in an unfamiliar place, said Trina Taylor, associate director of Prevent Child Abuse Utah.

Today, a new environment exists for child victims in Utah. Eighteen children’s justice centers exist around the state, all equipped with child-friendly tools to help put children at ease as they’re interviewed about abuse.

{LDSL Blog} My Interview with Elizabeth Smart

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:03:00 -0600

by Jamie Lawson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: I was curious about Elizabeth Smart's personality before meeting her. I came away from our meeting with answers to many of my questions, but one striking impression of her: she has incredible faith.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Elizabeth Smart for the fall issue of LDS Living (click here to read the article). I admit that I was curious how she would be in real life—if she is as impressive and poised as she appears to be on television. I’m here to tell you that she absolutely is.

Elizabeth was surprisingly candid. She openly discussed both the joys and frustrations she experienced as a missionary in France. She shared her feelings about her captor, Brian David Mitchell, including how and why she chose to forgive him. She talked passionately about her work as a children’s advocate, and her determination permeated every word as she expressed her desire to make the world a safer place for children everywhere so no one would have to experience anything like what she was forced to endure. But the thing that struck me most during my time with her was her incredible faith in the gospel.

Despite all Elizabeth has been through, or perhaps because of it, she has learned to trust in God completely. I’ll never forget when she said the following: “For me, the word ‘gospel’ means hope. No matter how bad things get, that’s the one thing you can always hold on to.”
Elizabeth is a great example of resilience, and I thank her for showing us that it is possible to become stronger, better people if we are willing to push beyond our darkest moments and look with hope toward the future.

It was definitely a powerful experience to talk with her about such deeply personal experiences. But while I had Elizabeth to myself, I couldn’t resist trying to learn more about her personality. What makes her smile? What are some of her favorite things? It was fun to watch her light up as she talked about her love for the harp. And did you know she loves to go country dancing?

I am grateful to Elizabeth for her willingness to speak with us at LDS Living. And I hope our readers will enjoy and appreciate her insights as much as I did.

(To find out more of Elizabeth’s favorite things, pick up the September/October 2011 issue of LDS Living.)

--
Jamie Lawson is managing editor of LDS Living magazine. She loves traveling internationally, meeting fascinating people, and listening to 80s music. She enjoys tasting new foods but does not like to cook. She has two adorable boys who help her stay up to date on the latest technology, fashion trends, and catch phrases.

Interview with Elizabeth Smart

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:03:00 -0600

by Jamie Lawson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Elizabeth Smart talks with LDS Living about her mission, her faith in the gospel, and her plans for the future.

Nine years ago, Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bedroom. After surviving a horrific nine-month ordeal, she was miraculously rescued and reunited with her family. Now the 23-year-old children’s advocate is dedicating her life to spreading messages of hope and empowerment. And it all began in the fall of 2009 with her mission to Paris, France.

Called to Serve
“I never thought I was going to serve a mission,” Smart says. “But when my younger brother got his call, I felt a twinge of jealousy. Then one day I was sitting in church, and everything was about missionary work. As soon as I started thinking about it, I knew I was supposed to go.”

In fact, Smart says she would have regretted it for the rest of her life if she hadn’t gone. “I realized how incredibly blessed I am and how much the gospel has made a difference in my life. It has always picked me up and helped me keep going, even in the roughest of situations. The more I thought about it, the more I thought, ‘How could I not serve a mission?’”

Within 24 hours of making her decision to go, she submitted her mission papers. She received her call three weeks later, in September of 2009. “I couldn’t have been happier with my call. I loved it. I had some incredible experiences. I made some of my best friends on my mission. Looking back, it was definitely the best decision I ever made.”

For the most part, France afforded Smart a welcomed anonymity far away from the media frenzy surrounding the criminal trial of her kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell. “The French did not know who I was, but I was still recognized by American tourists,” she recalls. “If someone said something to me, I would thank them and explain why I was there and the purpose of missionary work.”

She says France’s melting pot of cultures and religions was both intriguing and challenging. “While I love the French people and culture, at times I struggled to understand how some people could live their lives not believing in a higher power or not believing in life after death or not having a hope of ever again seeing people you’ve loved and lost. It always amazed me that people could turn away so much hope.”

The Next Mission: Protecting and Empowering Children
“My personal experiences have made me a more compassionate person in general and given me an insight into things that I wouldn’t otherwise ever comprehend,” Smart says. She is using that unique perspective to help protect children in two ways: by becoming a contributor with ABC News to bring awareness to children’s issues and cases involving missing children and by creating the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, the mission of which is to stop the victimization of children by supporting law enforcement and empowering children through education. “I’m trying to make it so no child ever has to deal with what I dealt with,” she says.

ABC News
Smart explains that part of the reason she accepted the position with ABC News is because of the role the media played in helping to bring her home. “The media is a great resource. It can be a very powerful tool for good. I felt like it was the right fit for me.”

She says that the idea to work with the media came to her while serving on her mission. “When I was out in the field contacting person after person, I started thinking, ‘The gospel is something so important to me. I wish I could reach out to more people universally.’ Then I realized, ‘Wait a second, I can. I can help a lot more people.’ When this opportunity came around, I knew it was what I wanted to do.”

Smart had been approached by several media outlets, and after considering the offers, she felt ABC News was where she would be able to make the biggest difference. “Although it’s not preaching the gospel, preventing crimes against children is something else I feel very passionate about, something very worthwhile. So when the opportunity arose, I jumped on it.”

Smart is in the early stages of her relationship with ABC News, and she says the position is a work in progress. “I don’t think either one of us is fully aware of what it could turn into, but I hope to collaborate on stories about internet crimes against children and utilize that relationship to spread awareness.”

The Elizabeth Smart Foundation
The groundwork for the Elizabeth Smart Foundation was also being laid while she was still in the field, thanks to her father, Ed. “I talked with my dad, and we decided we wanted [the foundation] to be something that would bring hope to other people while stopping the victimization at the same time. Our goal is to empower children by helping them to know their options and by supporting law enforcement in stopping crime. We also want to bring awareness to other cases and try to make a difference.”

Right now the foundation is focusing on the RAD (Resisting Aggression Defensively) Kids empowerment program—a program designed to teach children the skills to fight off potential kidnappers and abusers. “You never know what kind of situation you’re going to be put in, and you never know how you’re going to react,” Smart says. “As important as education is, as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic are, it’s not going to help you if you’re dead. I think it’s most important that children learn how to survive.”

Through her foundation, Smart is also working to protect the funding of important law enforcement programs, such as the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional group that assists state and local law enforcement agencies in responding to cybercrimes against children.

“There is so much turmoil in Washington with the debt crisis. So much funding is being cut, but the task force does something I don’t think anyone else can do,” Smart says. “They can locate where child pornography is being manufactured, and in one out of three cases the child is at that physical location and can be rescued at that moment. Less than two percent of cases are being investigated because they don’t have the funds, they don’t have the manpower, and they don’t have the time. Funding is huge. Even if it saves one child, wouldn’t it be worth it? People need to talk to their senators and congressmen and tell them they want their ICAC teams funded.”

Hope in the Gospel
Smart endured a horrific ordeal that few people can comprehend. Even so, she has moved forward with grace and courage, and she says forgiving her captor is largely what enabled her to do so.

“I’ve forgiven him, but that doesn’t mean I ever want to see him again,” she clarifies. “I know that justice may not ever be fully served on this earth. But I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I have no doubt that justice will be served one day, so there’s no reason for me to hold on to the hurt or anger or to dwell in the past. I trust in God that the best will come out. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful.”

Smart also urges others who are struggling to never give up. “No matter what happens, we have a Heavenly Father who is always there and will never abandon us. There is always hope. For me, the word ‘gospel’ means hope. No matter how bad things get, that’s the one thing you can always hold on to. The gospel will never fail you. People might fail you, but the gospel won’t.”

What’s Next?
The Brigham Young University senior is headed back to school this fall to complete her bachelor’s degree in music—an endeavor that she acknowledges will be difficult because of all the other goals she has set for herself.

“In addition to receiving an education, I want to see RAD Kids go into every school across the nation,” she says. “I feel very passionately about preventing internet crimes against children, and I want to see those stopped. One day I also want to be married and have a family, but I’ll take it as it comes.”

Whether through the media, through her foundation, or within the walls of her own home, Smart is determined to serve others. “Whenever we would go somewhere, my parents would always say that we needed to leave it better than how we found it. That’s what I’d like to do with my life—to feel like I’m making a difference and making a little part of the world better because I was here.”

Elizabeth Smart shares her story to help raise money to help victims of abuse

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:46:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Elizabeth Smart is using her story to help raise money for child abuse prevention and treatment services. Smart spoke Wednesday at the Family Support Center's Blue Ribbon Breakfast.

The morning of June 5, 2002, changed her life in a way she never could have prepared for. “Having a stranger break into my home and kidnap me at knifepoint and on the threat of death, I thought I was having a nightmare,” she said.

“If that was not enough, in and of itself, I was forced to run up into the mountains to a place that was impossible to find, and there I was raped.”

Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper on his way to federal prison

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:03:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

Brian David Mitchell has finally left Salt Lake City for his new home: Federal prison.

Mitchell, convicted of the 2002 kidnap and rape of then-14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, was transferred out of the Salt Lake County jail Wednesday morning, said Lt. Michael Deniro, a spokesman for the jail.

It’s still unclear which federal prison the 57-year-old is heading to, but that information will likely become public later today. The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not release where inmates are housed until they have been safely transported, said Edmond Ross, a spokesman for the Bureau of Prisons.

Elizabeth Smart is keynote speaker at Crimes Against Children Conference

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped in 2002 and missing for nine months, was in Dallas on Monday to tell law enforcement workers about her "sojourn into hell" and urge investigators to never give up on finding a missing child.

"We can never do enough when it comes to bringing a child home," said Smart, now 23. "Never doubt your efforts or give up on that child because that one child you save could have been me."

She was the keynote speaker at the Crimes Against Children Conference. About 3,000 police officers, physicians, attorneys and social workers from all 50 states and many other countries are attending the four-day event, which is not open to the public.

Elizabeth Smart says media played role in rescue

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:44:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

Mormon Life says: She says she took a job with ABC in part because of the role the media played. Elizabeth Smart says she accepted a job with ABC News partly because she feels the media helped save her life.

The Utah woman, who was kidnapped, raped and held captive at age 14 by a Salt Lake City street preacher, serves as a commentator for ABC News focusing on missing persons and child abduction cases.

Elizabeth Smart to join ABC for missing-persons insight

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:29:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Elizabeth Smart has apparently accepted a job as ABC's new expert on what families of missing persons go through for Good Morning America. And she's likely to be tapped to add insights on other ABC shows, including Nightline.

The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz broke the news Wednesday night, wondering if perhaps the move was a way for ABC to "land exclusive interviews" with Smart, who was kidnapped from the bedroom she shared with her little sister when she was just 14 years old, back in 2002.

Newsweek: Elizabeth Smart saved by her faith

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:19:00 -0600

source: newsweek.com

Late last month Elizabeth Smart stared defiantly into the face of her kidnapper for the first time in nearly a decade. In 2002 Brian David Mitchell, a self-styled Mormon prophet, claimed divine sanction in kidnapping Smart (then 14 ) at knifepoint, dragging her up a dark Utah mountain, and forcing her into a polygamous marriage during which she was tied to a tree for weeks at a time and raped almost daily for nine months.

Mitchell was sent to prison for life at last month’s sentencing hearing—but not before Smart got to confront her assailant, telling him to his face, “I want you to know that I have a wonderful life now.”

Video: Elizabeth Smart reacts to the sentencing

Thu, 26 May 2011 12:30:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

Brian David Mitchell's life sentence is 'beginning of a very beautiful chapter,' Elizabeth Smart says

Thu, 26 May 2011 12:28:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

"Today is the ending of a very long chapter and the beginning of a very beautiful chapter for me," proclaimed a smiling Elizabeth Smart outside the Frank E. Moss federal courthouse Wednesday.

Brian David Mitchell, the man convicted of kidnapping Smart at knifepoint from her bedroom nearly nine years ago, holding her hostage for nine months and subjecting her to horrific abuse, was sentenced to life in federal prison. Under the federal system, there is no parole.

"I am so thrilled with the results that came out today, the life sentence. I couldn't be happier," Smart said.

Mitchell, as he has at every court hearing for the past several years, showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball. Instead, he sat next to his attorneys, with his eyes closed, his shackled hands in a prayer formation, and sang hymns.

Elizabeth Smart wants to use her trials to inspire others

Thu, 19 May 2011 10:36:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

Ed Smart once said that his daughter Elizabeth in general only likes to speak publicly when she has the potential of helping or being an inspiration to others.

After speaking with her for a short time Wednesday, it's clear that the woman who has been through so much and inspired so many people all over the world, is more comfortable putting the spotlight on helping others than herself.

"Mostly I'm just looking forward to going where I can make the biggest difference, doing the best that I can do to help others around me. Hopefully make a difference in the world," she said of her plans after graduating from college.

Smart's abduction from her home in 2002 when she was 14 years old has been in the media spotlight for nearly a decade, including horrific details of the many abuses she endured during her nine months of captivity.

Elizabeth Smart Interview

Thu, 19 May 2011 10:33:00 -0600

source: sltrib.com

Smart talks about her mission, BYU and what her future holds.

Elizabeth Smart honored with $50K Vital Voices Award

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:06:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Elizabeth Smart is among four women to receive a Vital Voices Award for her courage and strength.

Designer Diane von Furstenberg announced this year's winners of the second annual DVF Awards, which honor women have the courage to fight, the power to survive and the leadership to inspire.

Smart was chosen as the public figure award winner. The winners each receive $50,000 to help further their cause. The awards will be given out March 11.