Abduction Case of Elizabeth Smart

                                   ELIZABETH

By John R. Llewellyn

   There are no longer any doubts that Brian David Mitchell, abductor of  Elizabeth Smart, is another wretched product of the Mormon fundamentalist subculture. Mitchell is the latest in a long line of deluded fundamentalists that have resulted in exasperating humiliation for the good people of the State of Utah.

   Although the list of Mormon crimes goes back as far as the1840s when the Mormons were kicked out of Missouri, the recent infamy began with the murder of Rulon Allred in 1977 by mass murderer, Ervil LeBaron.

   After Ervil came the judicious killing of John Singer; the shoot-out with the Swapp boys resulting in the murder of Lt. Fred House; the throat cutting of a mother and her baby by Ron & Dan Lafferty; the horrific suicides of Rachal and Immanuel David [Bruce Longo]; hostage taker Cody Judy; the hunt for Christopher Fink, the young man that starved his baby daughter; the incestuous habits of the Kingston Clan; the lascivious, child rapist and welfare expert, Tom Green; the larcenous Allred Group; and now Brian David Mitchell, the grand abductor. It is a hideous, disgusting legacy that will forever haunt the annals of Mormonism, because everyone of these miscreants used Mormon doctrine to justify their crimes.

   Mitchell's uniqueness lies in the Islamic likeness of his costumes, the "djellaba" [white loose garment], the women's "hijab" [face covering] and the "abayas" [flowing garment from head to toe]. His only other difference from the rest of the Mormon fundamentalist prophets is how he planned to procure his plural wives. Mitchell departed from the norm of plucking unsuspecting maidens from the subculture. He was more particular. In Svengali-like fashion he had to have someone special, someone worthy of his celestial calling, someone he could manipulate and train to his liking, a princess and queen, a predictably obedient little lady with the likeness of the Mother of Jesus, and the only way he could get her was to kidnap her. [Fundamentalists believe Mary was 13 when she conceived Jesus.]

   As a self-proclaimed prophet Mitchell would be viewed as competition by the other prophets: Owen Allred, Jim Harmston, Paul Kingston and Warren Jeffs. Therefore he would be unwelcome in the organized polygamist groups. The independents would also shun Mitchell because they believe they are not suppose to organize. Most independent polygamists claim their authority through Lorin Woolley and the 1886 Revelation. Mitchell evidently received his authority, like Jim Harmston, directly from God.

Therefore, it is unlikely that Mitchell proselyte among the fundamentalist subculture, especially wearing his Islamic garb. It appears that he was a free-lance fundamentalist like the deluded, Bruce Longo, who also adopted the name, Immanuel. Theoretically, Mitchell had no choice but to go outside the fundamentalist subculture to procure a plural wife.

   Brian David Mitchell has been grossly underestimated from the very beginning. He is no doubt deluded to a degree but his impertinence has been brilliant and cunning like the proverbial fox. Further scrutiny of his motives, and ability to improvise, reveals that we were all fooled by his Islamic garb and thrown off course. The long, flowing, white garments – the head coverings and veil -- are 100% Mormon, not Muslim.

   The apparel is nothing less than a slight modification of the temple robes worn by Mormons during the endowment. In other words, the dress of the two women depict the precise mode for a wife when she meets her Lord. If Mitchell and the ladies had added a "green apron," to their costumes, the connection would have been unmistakable. But apparently no one thought that Mitchell was flaunting in public the sacred temple robes.

   Mitchell's pious masquerade [Islamic-like garb] and the bizarre motive behind the abduction fooled and stunned law enforcement, as well as the Mormon pundits, including yours truly. Although Mitchell is unquestionably a Mormon fundamentalists, he does not fit the stereotype which I suspect is why he was not taken more seriously by some police authorities as a suspect. Nevertheless, Elizabeth's abduction should be a lasting lesson and severe warning that there are grievous problems within the Mormon fundamentalist subculture, anything, no matter how contemptible, is probable.

   Mormon polygamists have been viewed to often as harmless oddities and eccentric Christians. Like it or not, the truth of the matter is that within the Mormon doctrines lie evil seeds waiting to germinate in the minds and actions of deluded specimens like Brian David Mitchell. A scripture found by authorities, The Book of Immanuel David Isaiah, authored by Brian David Mitchell, dubbed by the media as a "manifesto," leaves no question about Mitchell's religiosity. When I first started reading it, the rambling, the surrogate biblical warnings, the call to repentance, exalted references to Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon, reminded me of the same tripe in the many pamphlets authored Ervil LeBaron.

   Like most of the false prophets, Mitchell attempts to frighten potential converts into conforming to his special brand of Mormonism with gloom and doom quotes from the Bible. He fancies himself as the "One Might & Strong" who is going to set in order the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, he is going to establish the "Church of the Firstborne," (sic). What Mitchell doesn't realize is that the LeBaron boys, Jim Harmston and Tom Green all beat him to it. There are no less than several, one and only, Church of the Firstborn. The imaginary Church of the Firstborn has been deluding converts in Mexico, Texas and Utah, since the early 1970s.

   As Utah rejoiced in the return of Elizabeth Smart, Tom Green's patriarchal colleagues and hand full of ardent followers had been meeting in Victorville, California, discussing how to re-establish the Council of Fifty, which is the political arm of Mormonism, that they believe will one day rule the world.

   Mitchell's "church," or society, as he calls it, is the "The Seven Diamonds Plus One." Wanda Barzee is "Plus One," Elizabeth was to be the first of The Seven Diamonds. Not satisfied with seven wives, Mitchell has set his sights on 7 X 7, or forty-nine wives. And it sounds like Elizabeth's favorite cousin had been targeted to be another diamond, which makes sense. Mitchell would want someone compatible, someone who would be a comfort to Elizabeth.

   In conformance with the temple endowment, Mitchell gave himself a new name, Immanuel David Isaiah. Immanuel signifies, "God with us." Barsee's new name is Hephzibah Eladah Isaiah. "Hephzi-Bah" signifies, "in whom is my delight, queen of Hezekah, and mother of Manassah." (2 Kin. 21.1) Eladah signifies "whom God clothes." (1 Chr. 7-20) We don't know as yet what new name he undoubtedly bestowed on Elizabeth. Mitchell, like Mohammad and Joseph Smith, received a revelation making himself God's exclusive mouthpiece. As the one and only prophet of God, he may not be the most powerful, but he is the most important man on earth.

   Mitchell made a list of God's favorite and chosen prophets, special men who brought forth the fullness of the everlasting gospel [plural marriage is the "new and everlasting covenant"] beginning with Adam, followed by Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus Christ, Peter, James, John, Joseph Smith and ending with guess who, Immanuel David Isaiah, conspicuously bypassing Brigham Young and Gordon B. Hinkley.

   There is an unmistakable parallel between Mitchell and Tom Green. Both were free-lance fundamentalists, in other words, they did not belong to an organized polygamist group and they did not claim their authority through the 1886 Revelation. [The 1886 Revelations is a revelation allegedly received by John Taylor while in hiding, instructing him to secretly perpetuate plural marriage in defiance of the law of the land.]

   Both Tom and Mitchell targeted girls at the age of puberty. Tom's five child brides bonded with him at ages 12, 13 and 14. Both predators intuitively brainwashed their victims. And another thought, how nice it would be if Tom and Mitchell were cell-mates at the Utah State Prison.

   In Tom's case, his girls came out of the fundamentalist subculture, meaning the indoctrination was nearly complete when he took over. All he had to do was convince them that he was their savior. When Tom finished with the girls he was viewed by them as not only their savior, but spiritual leader, husband, father and lover. The end products were five girls, spiritually, emotionally and physically dependent upon Tom. 

   Once Tom was satisfied that the girls were sufficiently brainwashed and obedient, he placed them on display before the world. [National television] This blatant exhibitionism served to strengthen Tom's insatiable ego and reinforce in the minds of the girls, Tom's omnipotence and omniscience. Tom, their savior, had plucked them from the remote deserts of Utah, transported them to New York City, and turned them into celebrities.

   In Elizabeth's case, the indoctrination was only half done, assuming she was an active member of the LDS Church. All Mitchell had to do is expand upon where the teachings of the LDS Church left off. Most fundamentalists converts come from the frustrated ranks of the LDS Church.

   It has been implied that the night of the abduction there was a marriage ceremony of sorts. If it is true, then relying upon my background as a sex crime investigation specialist, then Elizabeth was spared the sadomasochism that is usually present in assaults of this nature. As a fundamentalist, I am certain that Mitchell would have conformed to Mormon ritual as closely as possible. Therefore, the coercion suffered by Elizabeth would be primarily psychological. It is my guess that there was little if any physical cruelty.

   Unlike Elizabeth Smart, Tom's wives had no one to rescue them. There was no loving family, no support group, nothing in place to de-program them. When David Leavitt and Monte Stewart prosecuted and convicted Tom Green of child rape they succeeded in separating Tom from the girls, but it was too late to save them from the indelible clutches of Mormon fundamentalism. All these unfortunate girls know is the fundamentalist lifestyle. That's where their family and friends reside. I am afraid that they will never find the strength and desire to rise above the debilitating shackles of Mormonism and a dependency upon handouts and welfare.

   I predict that Elizabeth will fully recover from whatever trauma she has experienced. She is a beautiful, special little lady that has captured the hearts of all the people of the United States. If Mitchell has one ounce of decency left in him he will plead guilty to whatever crimes he is charged with and save Elizabeth from the additional trauma of a carnival-like trial. 

   If there is a trial the defense will more than likely plead insanity. However, Mitchell is just as accountable for his behavior as Tom Green and Ervil LeBaron. In listening to the tape recording of Mitchell pleading for mercy in the breaking and entering charge at San Diego, although he was lying through his teeth, he was as lucid and cunning as Owen Allred.

  It is important for the public to be aware of the nature of the crime and the roots from which it was spawned, but not at the expense of Elizabeth. In my opinion Mormon fundamentalism is as culpable as Mitchell and Barzee. But due to the First Amendment the only place Mormon fundamentalism can be put on trial is in the court of public opinion. I cannot overemphasis the fact that in the Mormon fundamentalist doctrines are the seeds of corruption, filth and sedition. It is a wonder that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been able to sluff off most of the dross that has been preserved by the fundamentalists and turn a disreputable cult into a respected religious institution.

   Mormon fundamentalism has in place all the ingredients that make up a cult: authority, secrecy, esoteric knowledge, exaltation, there own set of morals, a special mission, exclusivity, accountability only to God. It is a medium where there are few restrictions upon aberrant behavior, and dangerous men like Mitchell, Green, Adam Swapp, the LeBarons and Laffertys have blossomed. Mitchell stooped to a new, despicable low, lower than a snake's ass, by swooping down on unsuspecting maidens like he was the Mormon Muhammad of the desert.

   There is some speculation that Mitchell was once associated with a known polygamist group and that somewhere, he had a fundamentalist mentor. However, there is plenty of fundamentalist literature available in book stores to further twist an already sick mind.

   There is an unconfirmed rumor that he was once associated with the Owen Allred group which is plausible, but I doubt it. Allred's, Apostolic United Brethren, the most liberal of the polygamist groups, has been the training grounds for several want-to-be prophets. The late Alex Joseph, for example, learned the polygamist ropes while associated with Apostolic United Brethren. Little polygamist groups that seldom seldom seduce more than a handful of converts come and go like blisters.

   The abduction of a child bride outside the fundamentalist subculture is an anomaly, but the abduction of teenaged girls within the polygamist subculture is a common occurrence. According to dissidents from the FLDS [Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] headquartered at Colorado City, Arizona, abductions go on all the time.

   The latest is Ruby Jessop, age 14. The FLDS priesthood wanted Ruby. When her mother objected, Ruby disappeared and hasn't been seen since. This was two years ago.

   Because Ruby was born and raised in Colorado City, under the auspice of an evil but influential Mormon priesthood, her abduction has not received a fraction of the notoriety given Elizabeth. This remark is not meant to distract from the attention given Elizabeth, she should have been given more attention and she may have been rescued sooner. The point that I would like to make is that according to FLDS dissidents, law enforcement has been disgracefully lax, and could do much more to rescue Ruby. It is common knowledge that the FLDS priesthood merchandise teenaged girls as plural wives with no more compassion than a cattle auctioneer. Love in the fundamentalist subculture is incidental. It is the marriage ordinance and copulation that are the factors that exalt the Mormon polygamist.

    I am not a crusader. I started writing about Mormon polygamy because it was a lively, interesting topic -- a plethora of conflict, sex, murder and corruption, everything a good story is usually about. I was acquainted with Mormon polygamy from every angle, as a police and civil investigator, I lived it, and I thoroughly researched it back to Joseph Smith. I was familiar with the positive aspects as well as the negative. As a beginning writer it was the ideal subject for me. But as I became more and more aware of the crime and corruption that exists in the subculture, my writing became satiric and iconoclastic.

   Notwithstanding that there are many good Mormons, some of which are my best friends, even polygamist Mormons, I suppose I have turned into a Mormon muckraker. But after seven years of witnessing, investigating and writing about the crime and corruption in the Mormon fundamentalist subculture, I can't help wondering.....How many more Elizabeths and Rubys need to be abducted, and babies with their throat's cut - how many daughters need to be lost to unscrupulous Mormon priests - how many family fortunes must be swindled from gullible converts - how many David Mitchells, Tom Greens, Ervil LeBarons, Adam Swapps and Laffertys must Utah put up with before the politicians, legislatures and law enforcement get it through their heads that Mormon fundamentalism is not just about religion and the First Amendment, it's about power, sex, money and unaccountability, masquerading as religion.

7

Please refer to Lawsuits page for updates 
on this case

Back to Law Suits