Smart family isnt right

[goofygirl]

Um, goofygirl, I don't mean to insult you or where you heard that rumor, but I think that one wins the prize for the most off the wall rumor yet.

Its not any crazier than the story that she was taken by this guy who likes to preach in the street, wear robes, and wanted to recruit her into his "cult" and make her his additional wife.

 

[Minnie824]

That rumor was started by one person who has absolutely no self esteem.

I don't understand that?



On one of the 5 million news stories online and on tv about this, I actually had heard that rumor about her being pregnant too - but slightly different....I heard she was pregnant and scared to death of what her father would do to her so left to have the baby.

Now, is this likely? Probably not. Do I believe it? No. Most likely this poor girl has gone thru way too much trauma and was kidnapped. But...is it a possibility? Yes. Unless anyone knows her personally and knows what happened - which I don't think anyone here does - it could have happened. We really don't know. I'm just happy she's home alive.

 

[phamton]

I have a different perspective on this discussion. I am LDS and have lived in Utah and Texas. I was raised in a non-LDS home in Texas. After becoming a Mormon, I moved to Utah. Talk about a cultural shock! In Texas, real men didn't cry. OK, some did but rarely in public but crying for LDS men in Utah is accepted.

As far as Elizabeth actually going willingly with her abductor: I personally feel that she was taken by force but even if she chose to runaway with "Emmanuel," she was a child taken by an adult man across state lines. It is still a kidnapping and possibly statutory rape.

Many have discussed whether she was brainwashed. The Stockholm syndrome has been suggested. I think this is a strong possibility for many reasons. We LDS believe in revelation by a living prophet. Miracles and special messages from God are part of our religion. I think it was very possible that Elizabeth's abductor may have convinced her that he was a prophet. Heck, he may have even claimed that he was the new Messiah and that Elizabeth was chosen by God to not only be his wife but to be a new Virgin Mary and give birth to a special child. Sure it sounds farfetched but there are many people who claim to be God's special messenger and some even claim to be a Messiah. (Most of these people are schizophrenic and are being treated in a psychiatric wards or some of the homeless preaching the "gospel" on the street corners.) It is easy for most of us to recognize a true "nut" but some of the delusional people actually have followers. I know of two ex-Mormons who claim to be speaking to God face-to-face. They frequent the LDS newsgroups trying to convert others. One goes by the name of Nomad (aka Richard Morrison) and another by the name of Art Bulla. I can assure you that they have followers even with their bizarre rantings. Here are a few of the webpages they have (both have claimed to have seen Jesus in person and describe how He appears physically: http://absalom.com/nomad/Callmu.htm and http://absalom.com/nomad/Att1.htm and http://www.artbulla.com/zion/tale.html

I pray that the Smart family will be able to help Elizabeth through the turmoil that I am sure that she and her family are going through right now.

 

[Claudia1]

Thanks, phantom, for your insights and courage in posting the info.

I appreciate your post and understand the different perspective.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I'm sure no one will even see this buried on Page 6... but here it goes.

There are posts & threads like this all over the internet. And we all now this stuff stays around on the internet for years. I just hope that months or years from now...when she's STILL healing from this....that she doesn't come across all this SH*T that no one has any business discussing.

I too have questions on what she went through...but the answers are REALLY none of MY business. Yes, I believe the professionals have a right to know. It helps them in understanding the mind of the kidnapper...to help solve other cases. But the media & internet beat it to death by making up stories.

I'm "guessing" the family is Mormon? (stereotype I know - because of where they live) A few Mormon families I know can best be described as: VERY religious; a bit niave sometimes in the evils of the real world; and VERY giving of themselves in the sense of helping - not giving (give a man a fish, feed him for a day...teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime); and very obedient. This is how I read the Smart family (whether they are Mormon or not).

I'm SO GLAD Elizabeth is home. I'm relieved for Katherine's sake too. The guilt the poor girl must of felt after hearing people ask why she waited so long to notify her parents. Elizabeth has missed a whole year of school. It will take a LONG TIME for her to recover.

Elizabeth, honey, I wish you the BEST!!!!! Do NOT listen to what others have to say about you or your family! Take care of yourself!!!! {HUGS}

 

[Liz]

Yes, SplashMtn, the Smarts are LDS (Mormon).

I heard one of Elizabeth's aunts interviewed on Sean Hannity's radio program today. She said Lois didn't make a habit of seeking out homeless people to help, etc. but this one time she was leaving the mall with her kids and they saw this guy with his sign. It was the kids who said "mom, why didn't you help that guy" so she went back and said "if you are looking for work maybe you could help my husband" and I guess she gave him the address or phone number. She did not take him in the car with her kids up to the house and the aunt specifically mentioned that Lois was very concerned that when he came he didn't come in the house because she was trying to be protective of her children but help him at the same time.

This aunt, can't remember her name, said Elizabeth needs our prayers now as much as ever, and that her personality seems subdued. She seems to be adjusting well right now but they know it all will come out and have to be dealt with.

Another thing about the LDS church is they discourage members to take welfare from the government. If people are in need financially they will help them through the church's own welfare system but people are required to work for it if they are physically able.

 

[CRB#33]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That rumor was started by one person who has absolutely no self esteem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I don't understand that?

Why does a person start an awful unbiased rumor? Something lacking in their own lives? Does it make them feel better? What is the purpose?

Maybe self esteem isn't the best word, but it's the best I could do to describe someone who would make up a rumor they know is a lie.

SplshMtn99-you make excellent points.

I pray that girl goes on to recover the best as possible and that she lives a beautiful life.

 

[zurgswife]

This is one of the most unbelieveable threads I have ever read....

This poor girl and her family goes through HELL for 9 months and you don't like the way the father crys...or doesn't...

You are in disbelief because during the hours immediately after his daughter is returned he advocats that the elected officials vote for a nation wide Amber Alert...who better qualified to get the point acrossed....would you be as critical if she turned up dead and he did the same ranting....He has the power of the media during these days and I hope he uses them to the best of his ability...

Whats wrong with him running for Office if he wants to....other family memebers of person injured or killed have run for office won and done wonderful jobs....What if he used his position to become a force for the victim and helped find suspected law breakers would you think that would be an awful thing to do ...since his daughter survived or can only john Walsh because his son was killed by an abductor...

and with regards to why didn't she try to get away...this reminds about why would a physically abused child who lives at home in a loving supportive home not tell someone she/he is being abused...there are people who would help her/him...is it her/his fault....the fear in a persons mind can do unbelievable things...

All of you should be ashamed of yourselves...there is nothing concrete to base your acusations on and until so...maybe we of the internet should stop spreading rumors....how horrible would it be if this child sometime later finds a site that list such horrible statments about herself and her family and they are all false....Even if she got over them it could bring back some awful thoughts and memories...

 

[kdibattista]

Well said zurgswife -

this whole thread is making me ill

 

[Poohbear123]

Something DOES NOT add UP here......Sorry...... I am glad they found her alive, but, is SHE glad they found her? Something smells....and its NOT the litter box!

 

[CRB#33]

Amen ZurgsWife!!!!

Something DOES NOT add UP here......Sorry...... I am glad they found her alive, but, is SHE glad they found her? Something smells....and its NOT the litter box

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

Bravo, Zurgswife!!

I can't believe the speculation that is being raised about this CHILD after what she has been through. Being taken from your home at knifepoint, cut off from everyone and everything you have ever known or loved, and undoubtedly sexually assualted and goodnes knows what else at the age of 14 and others question how you respond?!? She is lucky she was able to survive let alone formulate a plan of escape.

 

[WDWguru]

Just digging out from under the pile here. I normally am on the DIS board multiple times a day (usually the Theme Parks and DVC areas). But I work on the online edition of The Salt Lake Tribune, so as of 3 p.m. Wednesday I've had no life! It's always exciting for us when big news breaks, but doubly so when it's GOOD news like this.

I was actually driving and running errands when I heard the news on the radio. I just about wrecked! I lunged for the phone to call the online folks at the paper and they had just heard. I still had one more stop to make and it was so amazing to see the news trickle through the city. Everybody just seemed really up and couldn't wait to tell anyone and everyone about it. There were reports of people hearing about it from joggers wearing headphones who shouted it to entire parks full of people! To top it off, the last two days have been just gorgeous, sunny and in the low 70s. There's a huge celebration planned in one of the major city parks tonight.

It was an exciting night Wednesday and all day yesterday. Even today has been busy, but much quieter. We had traffic that was FIVE TIMES what we got during the Olympics last year! It's just been unbelievable. We've gotten e-mails from all around the world and our chat room has been jumping 24/7.

I just wanted to post from the trenches and let you all know that we're probably the best source for real info on all this right now (not that I'm biased or anything). Keep an eye on our site at http://www.sltrib.com

I'm sure this is one of those stories we'll be reporting on daily for quite some time.

 

[Liz]

Hi Kim Reading your thread gave me chills all over again! It must be so exciting to have such a happy news story to report! I didn't know there were other Utah DISers so its nice to "meet" you!

I am glad they found her alive, but, is SHE glad they found her?

Do you honestly think she wishes she was still living under a viaduct or walking the streets carrying her backpack and sleeping bag wearing white robes?

Her aunt said since she's been home she's gotten a haircut, wants to shop for new clothes and has painted her toenails! Doesn't sound like she's too miserable to me.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by WDWguru
I just wanted to post from the trenches and let you all know that we're probably the best source for real info on all this right now (not that I'm biased or anything). Keep an eye on our site at http://www.sltrib.com

I'm sure this is one of those stories we'll be reporting on daily for quite some time.

Kim........ thanks for the link above.

 

[WillyJ]

I don't see where anything in the Drudge report suggests something sinister or suspecious about the father??

The Mayor of Salt Lake has called for an investagation into the police and their behavior. . . the family has been very vocal in praising the media and has little nice to say about the police, and I'm disturbed that the police choose to release bits and pieces of what was said during their interview with Elzabeth- I think it was irresponsible and will only hurt her, the victim in this situation. .

Patty Hearst was an adult when kidnapped. . this a child we're talking about. . .


I agree the father is irritating, but how that tranlates into being part of the kidnapping is beyond me. . ???


I too was perplexed that he would spend so much time giving press conferences instead of being with his daughter. . but some of the info suggests she was sexually abused by the kidnapper (being 14, any sexual activity with her is rape and abuse) and the thought occured to me that perhaps it's just something the guy is having a hard time dealing with.

All the rumors out there hurt only one person and that's Elizabeth Smart. . and I think she's been victimized quite enough. .

 

[WDWguru]

Originally posted by Liz
Hi Kim

Hi back! Nice to "meet" you as well. I'm not originally from here (Florida and Missouri), but DH and I have been here almost 10 years now. We live in the Avenues area of Salt Lake. Never in a million years expected to stick around this long, but it's a beautiful city and a great place to live. Can't beat the skiing!

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Another voice from SLC piping in. Many of the comments on this thread just break my heart. In my sociology classes they had term for it. BLAMING THE VICTIM. How sad.

 

[goofygirl]

this whole thread is making me ill

So stop reading it.


Poorbear123- I am right with ya! Something's not right!

 

[Poohbear123]

Thanks, I thought I was the ONLY ONE that felt this way......... LOVE your Kitty!