I don't much care for pop culture and it's "I'm like" grammar, but a big GO GIRL seems to be in order. Elizabeth Smart has written her life story, HER way rather than using victimization as an excuse to roll into a non-functional ball. This lesson can be applied to so many life situations since the chances of anyone being kidnapped are pretty small. Those who spend their days railing against poor parents, mean teachers, an ex-spouse who was controlling, as a reason for their ruts, need to watch this wonderful young woman reach higher and higher goals, HER goals.
God Bless her and her family

That was a great article. I am so glad to see that she is doing so well. She gives such great advise that anyone who has suffered from some type of trauma can use.

You are a blessed and fortunate family.

These abductors are the type to focus on in our justice system, not the teens having sex. There is is world of difference -- TRUE sex offenders versus the young, experimenting with sex in our sex saturated culture.

Elizabeth is a example to all. I think it's great that she has so many good goals and is in college.

Elizabeth, you have really grown into a beautiful woman, inside and out. You have not let the "uglies" of your life get you down. Our future generations have a great leader in their midst. I remember praying for your safety with my young children and now they sometimes ask what you are doing? How proud I am to report on such a remarkable attitude that you have and share with the world and with victims of the same circumstance. Thank you for being a blessing in our lives and for setting an example to my children. God bless you.

Will be six years in June not a little over five years.

I met Elizabeth in the baptistry of the SL Temple shortly after she returned and had a marvelous conversation with her. What a sweet spirit. I am sure that anything she decides to put her name to will be well thought out and special. At the same time though isn't it time Ed disappeared into the ether instead of in front of every camera he can find?

I think it's great that Ed is such a supportive father. It has probably made a world of difference to Elizabeth. Judging others only hurts them. It doesn't help anybody.

Elizabeth, you are such an example to me. The way that you have moved on with your life will continue to bless all that watch you. We are all behind you and are truly thankful for your well being.

Actually the article says that it has been a little over 5 years since she was FOUND which was on March 12th. So the article is correct.

Six years since her abduction, but if you read it again, it says it has been a little over five years since she was found.

The article says five years since she RETURNED from the abduction. So six since she was abducted, and five since she returned.

I was a victim of sexual abuse during my childhood in Utah. The ghosts just don't go away magically. It was not until I was in my early 30's did the meemories start surfacing. I believe it is important to look at the past, and clean up my part, (such as resentments, and hatred) so that I can help others on their journey. I am also a member of several 12 step groups. I also don't visit Utah very often.

This young lady reminds me of other LDS survivors, such as Vietnam and veterans of other wars. Those who have leaned on the Saviour and looked forward have adjusted well and moved forward. That is a lesson to us all about the power of the atonement. Their experiences will always be a part of them but they do not let those experiences define them.

You don't visit Utah very often...just read Utah's papers online and comment in a way that indicates you blame Utah for your being abused.

I wish you well in your continued, lifelong quest for recovery from and conquering of wrong acts committed against you.

It's a good thing Elizabeth is pretty, because if she wasn't most of you posting on here wouldn't care as much. You're all saying how beautiful she is. Do you think that makes a difference in her survival from her ordeal?

To: anonymous

I also was a victim of sexual abuse in Utah. The emotional and psychic scars will be with me the rest of my life. A member of my family passed away last year and I could not go back to Utah for the funeral because it would be too hard for me to return to Utah. God bless Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's entire family were victims in this ordeal. I wish them all the best and hope they all get the help they need to heal.

Yes, almost 6 years and it looks like the Smarts have found their mission - to bore us to death with a story only a few local are interested in. It was inspirational the first 100 times but it's old news now. They need to find something else to do and the Deseret News needs to give this story a rest; along with American Idol.

To: LKelly I say thank goodness for fathers like Ed Smart. He is helping others by, as you say, always standing in front of every camera he can find. You shouldn't judge others, especially when you haven't walked in their shoes.
Also to Anonymous: I think almost everyone who says Elizabeth is beautiful means "the beauty within". That's not to say she isn't beautiful without also. You used the word "pretty". That's not what was said.

Elizabeth, you are a wonderful example to all people, young and old. Thank you for your marvelous courage and help to all. God bless you.
Elizabeth

To Penny Nichols Don't kid yourself that only a few locals are interested in this story. Evidently you haven't ever been touched by abduction. Didn't the article say she is going to Washington D.C.
I hope you never have to become aquainted with her pamplet if that is how you feel. Why are humans always so ready to judge others?

Only in America can we all voice our opinions and not even think twice about it. GOD BLESS AMERICA and each of you.

Why do you print ugly staements like the one from Penny Nichols?

such mean words directed at the dad. I don't believe he is an attention hound. If it were me, I would be in front of the cameras to blunt the media and protect my daughter from their invasive and accusatory exams. I would disagree that He does it for money, I think he is successful enough in other ventures.

I do hope for continued blessing for the Smart family. They are a great example that evil does affect good people, but that evil can be overcome.

Not just in Utah!!! I am sure that most of you that think stories like this are only told in Utah, have not heard about the two boys found a year ago in Missouri. The one had been gone about two weeks, his friend remembered the white truck in great detail, which led to the finding of a 2nd boy who had been captured for about five years. Ed Smart was out here giving support to the one boy's family when he was first abducted. The family of the boy who had been taken for five years didn't give up and it is stories like his and Elizabeth's that give people hope. I am happy to see that Elizabeth is able to move forward and to heal, we all need to heal from whatever holds us back from being happy, she is a great example and best of luck to her.

Beauty is MORE than skin deep, especially in the case of Elizabeth Smart, but ugliness (anonymous, Penny Nichols, LKelly, et al) goes clear to the core!

Hollywood Ed - He never saw a camera he didn't like.

I think people need to lay off of Ed Smart. He is doing something to try to improve the world, yet we accuse him of doing it for profit. Ever heard of John Walsh from America's Most Wanted. If he had simply stayed in the shadows following his son's tragic murder, there would be potentially more than 1000 criminals still on the run. Good for Ed Smart, and I hope he continues his quest

to Anonymous @ 10:04
She WAS tied up in the beginning for several days until they had "control" of her.

To the questions "why did she stay with those weirdos?" Is that a rhetorical question or do you really want to know the answer? Most of you asking these type of questions seem to just like stirring it up. The answers are readily available if you just look. Until then, the intelligent will pass your comments by and label you as an ignoramus, and you will only succeed in stirring up the ignorant to do and say idiotic and hurtful things. God gave us two eyes and two ears so we could listen and read twice as much as what we say! If you seriously want to know, go find out or post your name and ask intelligently.

And as for beautiful, the people who say she looks beautiful, would say the same of any young women doing good things after such an ordeal, it's those of you who don't understand what makes beauty that has it wrong. Beauty to many is manifest through the smile, eyes, and general countenance of the person. Not the hour-glass figure, long, blonde hair or symmentrical facial features.

Instead of attacking, try understanding first!

To Anonymous - 8:54am I believe her "captor" had threatened the lives of her family? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Don't Care...

to az -
and what sort of patriarchal "control" took over?

You realize no one forces you to read the Deseret News articles don't you? I'm amazed by comments that talk about how boring the Deseret News is. When I'm reading something and I find it boring then I simply stop reading. I don't take the time to finish reading it, think about how boring it was, and then write about how boring it was on a message board. You obviously have a lot of time on your hands.

Don't Care, stop reading articles you don't care about - it is just a waste of your time reading them and a waste of other people's time to skip over your comments.

Smart was victimized no differently than any other young woman is victimized.
Through total obedience to the male and a severely out-of-whack patriarchal system.

To: Don't care, Yes, you do. Why else would you read the article and post something. Obviously you do care.

The sad saga of Elizabeth Smart should be a wake-up call as to just how extensive and insidious the mind-control programming controlled by poisonous patriarchy really is and the effect it can have on young women.

Now take a look at the FLDS young women and see how far you can take the obedience thing.

I'm glad to see Elizabeth has survived her ordeal and has had the grace to rise above the bitterness and anger she could otherwise feel. But I'm sad to note unmerited bitterness and anger on the part of many who've commented here. Many of you could obviously learn a great deal from Elizabeth. I suggest you give it a good, hard try--especially before commenting further and making yourselves look petty, rude, selfish, and angry.

I suppose Matriarchal would be better? Or how about no order at all? Abuse comes from both sexes, all races, all backgrounds. I for one (a mother and proud of it) am plenty busy with being a mother. I'd much rather have my husband SERVE me and my children as the Patriarch of our home. Any man who doesn't understand that it's a calling of service, not power, is an idiot. Just like any woman who doesn't understand Motherhood is a calling to serve is an idiot. Offenders are all over from both sides because we are human and have to learn.

Truth doesn't think that repeated rapes are brutal? It's an insult to Elizabeth to call her nightmare 9 months just a scratch.

Elizabeth is a better example of an obedient child following a parent than it is of the patriarchal system. This is a common reaction from abused children, obeying the abuser. And don't forget that Wanda Barzee was right there too, making sure Elizabeth was submitting to what they had planned for her.

Instead of complaining about Ed Smart & his gift of organization, and of knowing how to use the media in an advantageous way, it would be in order to thank him for publicizing the tragedy of kidnapped children, because heavy publicity is always a plus in finding them. And even though he has his daughter back, he has not quit his efforts to help other kidnapped children. He has even been responsible for legislation passed.

I consider Ed a generous giving man who has turned his family's tragedy into a positive force for children. He could stay home and watch TV instead of being on TV. You don't have to like the man, but please give him credit for doing good.

Most things are possible if you have the right kind of money. Not all children are born into wealth who are sexually abused, and have the support that Elizabeth has had from her family. She is fortunate. However, I do somewhat blame the Smart family for what happened to their daughter Elizabeth, by having the slimy whacko guy they hired cheaply to work for them. They invited evil to their doorstep.

Eveything is painted peachy and Rosey in the land of God after her abduction....I don't believe that for one minute.....

Elizabeth Smart was a minor and the victim of a crime. As with all such cases, there will be little tolerance regarding what is deemed abusive or offensive. Since this is a free, non-registered participation forum, the Moderator's decisions are final.

I can't believe the negative comments coming out about a "good news" story. The Smarts have money and they have given lots of attention to abducted children. That is a good thing. Elizabeth Smart's story is good news story. If I were Ed Smart, I would be doing the same thing. I would want to get in front of every camera possible and push for fighting against abduction. Quit being jealous of their riches and quit judging. Accept the story for what it is and try and enjoy some good news.

Where is the word ALLEGEDLY!!! As in ALLEGEDLY abducted. It has not been proven as of yet. No one has been found guilty. I personally believe she was a RUNAWAY and then fell into the wrong peoples hands. Not a hair was found in the house. Not a shoe print. The window screen was cut from the inside. SHE WAS A RUNAWAY!!! I am glad she is doing good but, if my child ranaway from the west side of town she would not have recieved the attention this girl has. Maybe her father is just a little too opportunistic.

What was went through by both Elizabeth and her family was horrific. There is no denying that. Also, the article in the DNews is good, however,I am just a little bit annoyed by the focus on certain types of people in the media. Generally, those who are featured, in missing cases, are those who come from families with money and, also, the people are good looking. I am saying GENERALLY!!! Look at Natalie Holloway in Aruba. Fox News spent countless hours on this one sensationalized case. What about those who don't have $ and/or looks?

To those who criticize Elizabeth, she was tied by the ankle to a tree with a wire cable for the first 2 months of her captivity while her kidnapper repeatedly raped & abused her with the assistance of his wife. After 2 months of that, it should be easy to understand why she had to submit in order to survive. Also, have you heard of Stockholm Syndrome? Her kidnapper told her he had followers watching her family & that if she tried ANYTHING she AND her family would all be killed. She's not psychic-she had no idea he was lying to her. What if he hadn't been? It's unrealistic to expect kids to think or reason like adults. They don't.

Seeing this artical about Elizabeth took me back to those days she was missing, my heart just stopped and I felt so, so sorry for her dear family. I remember like it was yesterday how thankful I was when she was found. What a neat family, how blessed they were! I am so happy to see how great this beautiful, dear young lady is doing. She will have a wonderful, full life, with her family right by her side cheering her on!

It IS NOT an insult. I didn't say she never went through anything. I'm only saying that those who suffer MUCH more than her get nothing because of the Smart family had money.

If this comment is removed, or if ANYONE could disagree that this has SOMETHING to do with money, then America has FAILED.

How dare you accuse me of being that insensative.

I am ONLY stating that Elisabeth wasn't as bad off where she could have easily escaped, something is missing there which no one is willing to address and that the Rich kid gets NATIONAL attention where a poor girl from kearns got NOTHING... NOTHING!!

I'm not insulting Elizabeth. America and the media is insulting the poor.

Another peculiar story from the land of the peculiar.