I'm sure all of you have heard of Elizabeth Smart from Salt Lake City, if not seen her missing poster or a light blue ribbon. I remember hearing her story as a fourteen year old myself, and then following the story as her parents and so many others desperately searched for clues. I remember seeing Elizabeth's face plastered on street poles and gas station boards even in Branson, Illinois that summer she was gone. Elizabeth was missing, hidden in the hills just 3 miles from her home, and then taken to California and back over a 9 month period.
When I saw this book on the library shelf, I reached for it, feeling somewhat of a connection to Elizabeth Smart. I worked closely with her best friend in a group project at BYU. We discussed her memories of the experience at length and she gave me an update on Elizabeth and the Smart family. I would often see Elizabeth walking across campus, wearing just her backpack, or perhaps carrying her harp. Just like any other student. She is serving a mission in France now, and for the few minutes I spoke with her, she seemed very well- adjusted.
While the story intrigued me, I was impressed with the Smart's ability to focus so much of the book on their struggle between fear and anger, and trusting in the Lord. Their devout family maintained their habits and "kept the faith" as millions of people around the world encouraged. Ed suggests that "maybe our experience was meant to touch many people. Maybe that's the reason Elizabeth was taken." Ed and Lois became extremely politically engaged and succeeded in passing the Amber Alert and other reforms that will keep children more safe in the future and hopefully help officials find missing children faster.
The greatest take away message I found from this account is not to take anything for granted. Not my life, my family, my safety, my health, my friends, or even my enemies. Elizabeth and her parents all recognize how they have developed into stronger, more faithful people having been through their nine month nightmare. After reading this book, I feel more committed to living every day with an understanding of how precious Heavenly Father's gifts are. I want to live in the moment; I want to do things that are meaningful and important every day. Ed and Lois say "even if we hadn't brought Elizabeth home, the miracles would have still been there. If we look at life only in terms of our mortal existence, then of course those who don't have their children return do not experience a miracle. But they do, because they are given the strength to carry on even in the absence of their child."
I have a mild obsession with Elizabeth Smart as both Scott and my mom tease, so I was glad to finally discover the true facts of the investigation, and recognize the many, many miracles associated with bringing her home.
