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POLYGAMY UNDER ATTACK – FROM TOM GREEN TO BRIAN DAVID MITCHELL
About Elizabeth Smart on Polygamy
John R. Llewellyn appeared on Larry
King Live April 2006, The Today Show August 24, 2001 with Matt Lauer
& Katie Couric; NBC Nightly News with Tom
Brokaw, May 21, 2001, on Fox News Channel's "The Edge" with Paula Zahn
June 27, 2002 on MSNBC March 15, 2003, on Inside Edition March 17, 2003, and
on Good Morning America April 4, 2003.
POLYGAMY UNDER ATTACK,
FROM TOM GREEN TO BRIAN DAVID MITCHELL
Back to Bio of John Llewellyn
Want an emotional walk in the shoes of a teenager and
her mother brought
into polygamy? Read more in A Teenager's Tears: When Parents Convert to Polygamy
Want a riveting read on the subculture of polygamy? Read Murder
of a Prophet: Dark Side of Utah Polygamy
Elizabeth Smart
The Salt Lake Tribune Letter
to Mayor Rocky Anderson
ELIZABETH SMART
By John R. Llewellyn, Polygamy Expert
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 every one 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
supposed to organize. Most independent polygamists claim their authority through Lorin Woolley and
the 1886 Revelation. Mitchell evidently believes he received his authority, like Jim Harmston, directly from
God. Therefore, it is unlikely that Mitchell proselyted 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.
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 fundamentalist, he does not fit the stereotype which I
suspect is why he was not taken more seriously by some police authorities as a suspect.
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.
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 too often as harmless oddities and
eccentric Christians. Like it or not, the truth of the matter is that within the Mormon doctrine
lie seeds waiting to germinate in an evil way in the minds and actions of deluded specimens like Brian David
Mitchell.
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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 by 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 handful 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, claims to have 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 would become 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, Issac, 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 Revelation 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.
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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, Elizabeth would have been spared the
sadomasochism that is usually present in assaults of this nature.
As a fundamentalist, Mitchell would have conformed to Mormon
ritual as closely as possible, I believe. 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 Mormon fundamentalism 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 overemphasize 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 slough off most of the dross that has been preserved by the
fundamentalists and turn what was considered a disreputable cult into a respected religious institution.
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Mormon fundamentalism has in place all the ingredients that make up a cult:
authority, secrecy, esoteric knowledge, exaltation, their 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 ground 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 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.
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To The Salt Lake Tribune
Editor of Opinion / Public Forum
143 S. Main St.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 March 20, 2003
It has been the half-hearted handling of Utah polygamists that enabled Brian
Mitchell to commit a heinous crime, almost unnoticed, when he should have been a serious suspect
from the beginning.
The Elizabeth Smart kidnaping and arrest of Mormon fundamentalist, Brian David
Mitchell, has created some interesting conundrums that cry out for explanation. Why? Because for
years the polygamy subculture has been a disgusting breeding grounds and refuge for murderers,
thieves, kidnapers and sexual predators, all masquerading as religions icons.
First of all, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, Mayor Rocky Anderson sent
a memo to SLC Police Chief Rick Dines "less than two weeks" after the abduction,
"imploring" the Chief to "aggressively" pursue "leads that pointed to a
homeless street preacher named ‘Immanuel’ as the potential kidnapper." Evidently, the memo
was not taken as seriously as it should have. Once the word "preacher" came into play,
light bulbs should have flashed on.
Secondly, how much did personality, rivalry, jealousy and arrogance impair what
should have been an objective, coordinated investigation? Police and politician faces are flushed,
discordant overtones are fanning the air, and the Smart family and people of Utah are entitled to
know what happened, because it is well rumored in police circles that Mayor Rocky Anderson is
unfriendly to law enforcement; and, I know from twenty-three years in law enforcement that arrogance
on the part of some investigators can hamper an investigation.
Furthermore, why wasn’t polygamy specialist, Lt. Ron Barton, of the Utah State
Attorney General’s Office consulted? Here is a valuable resource that went untapped. The Utah
State Legislature created the position occupied by Lt. Barton nearly three years ago for this very
purpose. Lt. Barton is knowledgeable, has numerous valuable contacts in the Mormon fundamentalist
subculture, and he is responsible.
My concerns are shared by others and are not unfair hindsight. Had Lt. Barton been
contacted when Mitchell first became a suspect, a coordinated effort between the SL City Police and
Attorney General’s Office might very well have resulted in a much sooner solution.
There seems to be a tendency by law enforcement and the prosecution to play down
the polygamy factor, when in reality, the Mormon fundamentalist subculture, that spawned Brian
Mitchell, were it possible, should also be indicted. Over the years there has been a tendency to
discount and play down the criminal aspects of Mormon polygamy.
The Utah Legislature has passed laws against bigamous, child marriages. If these
laws are not aggressively acted upon by law enforcement then they are nothing more than window
dressing.
In the heartland of polygamy – which is Colorado City, Arizona – young girls
designated as plural wives disappear with regularity. Flora Jessop was held captive in a bedroom for
months. Fourteen year old Ruby Jessop disappeared nearly two years ago. The physical and mental
enslavement of little girls in Colorado City is every much as real as it was with Elizabeth Smart.
The most sensational news stories to come out of Utah in the last twenty years has
involved Mormon polygamists. [Ervil LeBaron, John Singer, Adam Swapp, Dan and Ron Lafferty, Paul
Kingston, Warren Jeffs, Tom Green, Jim Harmston, Owen Allred and now Brian Mitchell] This is because
the Mormon fundamentalist subculture has in place all the twisted doctrines that can further distort
an already deranged mind.
The most pernicious Mormon doctrine is plural marriage, a commandment that
requires men and women to take multiple wives in order to "raise up a righteous seed" and
receive a "celestial exaltation." The polygamy doctrine, coupled with an unconscionable
sex urge, can be a dangerous combination, like drinking and driving. The last twenty years should be
clear and convincing evidence that the question is not what might happen in the polygamy subculture,
but when will it happen. As soon as the prosecution of Mitchell is history and things die down, some
other fanatic will get a revelation and Utah will be back in the headlines.
Bizarre crimes in the Mormon fundamentalist subculture have gotten so far out of
hand that what Utah government needs [metaphorically] is a special "warden," or "ring
master," with a bull whip and pistol to keep the crazy polygamists in line.
I wonder, how many more times will Utah take it on the chin before government
wakes up to the fact that there are serious problems in the Mormon fundamentalist subculture.
Sincerely,
John R. Llewellyn
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Mayor Rocky Anderson
City and County Building
451 So. State.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 April 6, 2003
Dear Mayor Anderson:
I write this letter as a concerned citizen, a retired deputy sheriff, as an author, and as a
specialist in Mormon polygamy investigations. I hope it will be of value to the five member
commission you have appointed to scrutinize the police investigation of Elizabeth Smart. I believe
your "commission" has the potential of favorably influencing future investigations involving
miscreants imbedded in the Mormon fundamentalist subculture.
It has been the half-hearted handling of Utah polygamists that enabled Brian Mitchell to commit a
heinous crime, almost unnoticed, when he should have been a serious suspect from the beginning.
The Elizabeth Smart kidnaping and arrest of Mormon fundamentalist, Brian David Mitchell, has created
some interesting conundrums that cry out for explanation. Why? Because for years the polygamy
subculture has been a disgusting breeding ground and refuge for murderers, thieves, kidnapers and
sexual predators, all masquerading as religions icons.
First of all, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, Mayor Rocky Anderson sent a memo to SLC Police
Chief Rick Dines "less than two weeks" after the abduction, "imploring" the Chief to "aggressively"
pursue "leads that pointed to a homeless street preacher named ‘Immanuel’ as the potential
kidnapper." Evidently, the memo was not taken as seriously as it should have. Once the word
"preacher" came into play, light bulbs should have flashed on.
Furthermore, did the Salt Lake City Police share this important memo with the FBI? If they did, how
was the memo treated?
Secondly, discordant overtones are fanning the air. How much did personality, rivalry, jealousy, and
arrogance impair what should have been an objective, coordinated investigation? The Smart family and
people of Utah are entitled to know what happened, because it is well rumored in police circles that
Mayor Rocky Anderson is unfriendly to law enforcement; and I know from twenty-three years in law
enforcement that arrogance on the part of some investigators can hamper an investigation.
Thirdly, why wasn’t polygamy specialist, Lt. Ron Barton, of the Utah State Attorney General’s Office
consulted? Here is a valuable resource that went untapped. The Utah State Legislature created the
position occupied by Lt. Barton nearly three years ago for this very purpose. Lt. Barton is
knowledgeable, has numerous valuable contacts in the Mormon fundamentalist subculture, and he is
responsible.
On April 4, 2003, the Tribune printed a story entitled, "Chief on Smart Case: ‘Good Investigation.’"
The story, by journalists Kevin Cantera and Michael Vigh, appeared to be a vindication of the police
failure to solve the case. The story quoted from an impressive parade of FBI and police experts that
suggested the Salt Lake City Police should be absolved of any dereliction in the investigation. Were
these experts told that an "itinerant preacher," who once worked for the Smart family as a handyman,
was a suspect within two weeks after the abduction?
In reading the Tribune’’s article, I am convinced that the police did an outstanding job in
investigating Richard Ricci. I have to admit that in following the case in the newspapers, I too
thought Ricci was the most likely suspect. But the true crux of the investigation is in the answer
to the following question: How much did the SLC Police know about Brian David Mitchell the day
Elizabeth Smart was rescued? Because –– the fact of the matter is that the kidnaping was solved by
four alert citizens, not the police– four crucial citizens who in the developing stories seem to
have fallen by the wayside.
My concerns are shared by others and are not unfair hindsight. Had Lt. Barton been contacted when
Mitchell first became a suspect, a coordinated effort between the SL City Police and Attorney
General’s Office might very well have resulted in a much sooner solution.
There seems to be a tendency by law enforcement and prosecutors to downplay the polygamy factor,
when in reality, the Mormon fundamentalist subculture that spawned Brian Mitchell, were it possible,
should also be indicted. Are we afraid that if we acknowledge that there are serious cultural
problems in the Mormon fundamentalist subculture that we will indirectly offend prominent,
influential individuals or institutions?
The Utah Legislature has passed laws against bigamous, child marriages. If these laws are not
aggressively acted upon by law enforcement then they are nothing more than window dressing.
In the heartland of polygamy – which is Colorado City, Arizona – young girls designated as plural
wives disappear with regularity. Flora Jessop was held captive in a bedroom for months. Fourteen
year old Ruby Jessop disappeared nearly two years ago. The physical and mental enslavement of little
girls in Colorado City is every much as real as it was with Elizabeth Smart.
The most sensational news stories to come out of Utah in the last twenty years has involved Mormon
polygamists. [Ervil LeBaron, John Singer, Adam Swapp, Dan and Ron Lafferty, Paul Kingston, Warren
Jeffs, Tom Green, Jim Harmston, Owen Allred and now Brian Mitchell] This is because the Mormon
fundamentalist subculture has in place all the twisted doctrines that can further distort an already
deranged mind.
The most pernicious Mormon doctrine is plural marriage, a commandment that requires men and women to
take multiple wives in order to "raise up a righteous seed" and receive a "celestial exaltation."
The polygamy doctrine, coupled with an unconscionable sex urge, can be a dangerous combination, like
drinking and driving.
The second most pernicious doctrine is "unaccountability." Mormon fundamentalists recognize only
God’s laws, which supersedes man’s laws. All of the actions of Mormon fundamentalists, including
Brian David Mitchell, are ostensibly sanctioned by God – acts considered by society as murder, rape,
theft, deception and kidnaping.
A week after the kidnaping I was contacted by a journalist asking if the abduction might have been
motivated by polygamy. I learned that other experts on polygamy had been asked the same question. At
the time there was nothing reported in the newspapers to suspect a polygamy connection. I thought
the Smart family had enough troubles without inserting something as provocative as polygamy on mere
speculation. But was it speculation?
The April 5th Tribune article suggested that the reason the police did not go public with Mitchell’s
"composite sketch" sooner is that Mitchell might have gone underground, but that should not have
kept police from looking for him and checking him out. It was obvious to everyone that Elizabeth was
not a random victim.
Lets face it, no one thought that religion could have been the motive. It was to far removed from
the stereotypical kidnaping – sex, murder, ransom or revenge. But where did Mayor Rocky Anderson get
his information about Mitchell? Was it from a source other than Elizabeth’s little sister?
Cory Lyman, who lead the investigation, told the Tribune that "police were aggressively following
every lead." With that said, then it is only fair to ask who was assigned to follow up on Mayor
Anderson’s memo, when, and what did he find?
My criticism of the Elizabeth Smart investigation is not so much to make the SLC Police Department
look bad, but to emphasize the fact that there exists a dangerous criminal element within the Mormon
fundamentalist subculture that is being overlooked and underestimated. I believe that the Salt Lake
County Sheriff’s Office, from where I retired, and other police departments, in all probability,
would have made the same mistakes. The intelligence just wasn’t there to make the connection.
Nevertheless, if we don’t call attention to the mistakes, and even rub it in a little, when it comes
to Utah’s religious fanatics, there will be more mistakes in the future. Nor should we, at the
expense of future victims, downplay or ignore the degenerate aspects of Mormon fundamentalism
because it might adversely reflect upon, and cause discomfort to, Utah’s dominate religion.
The last twenty years should be clear and convincing evidence that the question is not what heinous
crime might happen next in the polygamist subculture, but when will it happen. As soon as the
prosecution of Mitchell is history and things return to normal, some other fanatic will get a
revelation and Utah will be back in the headlines.
I wonder, how many more times will Utah take it on the chin before church and government wake up to
the fact that there are serious problems in the Mormon fundamentalist subculture.
Sincerely,
John R. Llewellyn
cc/ Chief Rick Dinse
Salt Lake City Police Department
315 E. 200 So.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Kirk Torgensen, Chief Deputy
Utah State Attorney General’’s Office
236 State Capital
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-0810
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