Infamous Mormon: Brian David Mitchell

Summary:

Brian David Mitchell was a mainstream Mormon who discovered and embraced Mormon fundamentalism, including polygamy. He and his wife Wanda Barzee kidnapped a 14-year-old girl from her bedroom in the middle of the night and forced her into a polygamous marriage in a bizarre ceremony in the woods behind her house. Mitchell attempted to gain other wives, both voluntarily and involuntarily through kidnapping. Fortunately, his kidnapping victim was reunited with her family, and Mitchell and Barzee were convicted and imprisoned for their crimes. 

Why this matters:

  • Brian David Mitchell was able to walk around with his victim in public without anyone stopping him. In one instance, his victim was cloaked next to him and  Mitchell used religious freedom as a basis to avoid further questioning by a law enforcement officer.
  • Mitchell "used religion to get what he wanted, had an excuse for everything he did with a religious side."
  • Mitchell claimed to be "the Lord's servant and was doing the Lord's work."
  • Due to Mitchell's abuse, his victim felt like a "chewed up piece of gum" 
  • His victim was a young child unable to escape Mitchell's patriarchal dominance, knowledge of the scriptures, physical and psychological abuse.

Learn More:

  • Wikipedia - Brian David Mitchell
  • Wikipedia - Elizabeth Smart kidnapping
  • CNN - Elizabeth Smart book shares 100% of her kidnapping terror in book
  • Fox13 Now - Elizabeth Smart - I felt like a chewed up piece of gum

Orrin Porter Rockwell

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