"Fundamentalists are great copiers. And everything evolves around plural marriage and the women. As you read this, that's the central focus," said Llewellyn, who for a time was himself a member of the Apostolic United Brethren, a Wasatch Front polygamous group. "It's basically how fundamentalists justify their lifestyle."

Like other fundamentalists, Mitchell calls for repentance and sacrifice — especially from those in the LDS Church, of which he was once a member.

Neither Mitchell nor Barzee are current members of the LDS Church, according to a statement released by the church. "Both are former church members who were excommunicated for activity promoting bizarre teachings and lifestyle far afield from the principles and doctrines of the church," spokesman Michael Purdy said.

Llewellyn said Mitchell "wants to be a modern prophet. To carry on what Joseph Smith and Brigham Young did. (Fundamentalists) all want to feel like they have holy blood. They all form some kind of delusion along those lines to give them special authority."

Each of the seven chapters of Mitchell's works are named for those writings from which he draws his inspirations.

In the first three chapters, Mitchell borrows heavily from the King James version of the Bible — particularly the Book of Isaiah — the Book of Mormon and other LDS scripture, including the Doctrine and Covenants.

In later chapters he draws from Betty J. Eadie, who wrote about life-after-death experiences, and from Avraham Gileadi's book "The Literary Message of Isaiah." One chapter is based on the writings of Orem naturopathic physician C. Samuel West. West could not be reached for comment Friday.

Eerily, the manifesto also seems to hint at what Mitchell perceived as God's plan for Mitchell and Elizabeth Smart.

"And I, the Lord God, hid up my true servant Immanuel in the wilderness, and he is in their midst and they knew him not."

Mitchell and Barzee apparently lived with Elizabeth Smart in the hills above her parents' home for several months. They then walked and lived on Salt Lake City's streets clothed in robes, going unrecognized for months.

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E-mail: jdobner@desnews.com