Elizabeth Smart and renewed faith and hope!

I was also thrilled to see that Elizabeth was found alive. Let's hope that she was treated well during the time she was away from her parents and not abused in anyway. Miracles do happen. It was really nice to watch the news and feel happy for a change!

Miracles DO happen, and I like you felt great joy for this little girl and her family!! The Good Lord has his eye on you also. I am a birthmom who just located my daughter after giving her up for adoption 19 years ago. She was adopted by a minister and his wife, and I believe it to be devine intervention. You hang in there the Lord will bless you!! Please never give up hope. My birth daughter was a nine year answer to prayer for these precious people. It can sometimes be a long journey, but in the end worth the wait. My prayers are with you!! :D spete

For what it is worth, I would never credit prayer alone for this miracle. A lot of normal people worked very hard for months to keep her case in the public eye, and fortunately, someone recognized her abductor and called it in. Those who have lost their children might be insulted and hurt if you credit prayer alone, for it implies that they did not pray enough or were not deserving. Ray [url]www.raybuffer.com[/url] [url]www.adoptee.2ya.com[/url] Director Adoptees Caucus for Truth (ACT) [url]http://act.vze.com[/url] Board Member and Registry Owner Florida Search Network [url]www.floridasearchnetwork.web1000.com/[/url] [url]www.reunion.vze.com[/url] Moderator Adoptee Activists [url]www.activist.vze.com[/url] SIGN THIS PETITION: [url]http://obc.2ya.com[/url]

Ray, I hope people will see through my message and understand that my implications are not intended to be hurtful. In fact, my true implications are that I'm glad she's home, Its personally given me inspiration to me in my own life, and that miracles DO happen. Being of the religion that the Smarts are, we do put a lot of faith in the power of prayer, as they have made clear in numerous interviews. I feel strongly that all prayers are answered in one way or another. Like I said above, I believe prayers are answered in the way and time that is best for us. Not always in the way we wanted or expected. I believe the Lord works through people on this earth to bring us answers to prayers, and all the people who felt strongly about helping this family WAS an answer to their prayers. I hope most people will be able to understand my true intentions of this post and that I do not mean to offend. Thanks for the replies, Hope21 PS: >>>>I've always liked the poignant story of the minister on the roof in the flood. The one where there is a flood and this minister is stuck on the church roof because the water has risen so high. He has faith that God will save him though. Several people row by in boats to save him and he denies them because he is SURE God himself will save him. A helicopter comes by to air lift him and again he turns them away. In the end he drowns, angry with God because he didn't save him!!!<<<<

I agree with Ray. I was extremely happy to hear Elizabeth was found. However, it took some sharp individuals to take notice of what appeared to be Elizabeth. The police deserves a lot of credit along with the public for their attentiveness and persistency in not giving up with the search. I knew that prayer would be attributed by her parents and others as the reason she was found. What about Laci Peterson? What about Chandra Levy? All the prayers that went out to them and and at least with Chandra, death resulted, and most likely with Laci. Not all prayers are answered for everyone! I respect your faith and belief in the power of prayer, I just don't think you can put all the credit towards faith alone in the discovery of Elizabeth. Just my opinion.

Just reread the posts on this thread and I do not see where anyone said that they are putting ALL "the credit towards faith alone" or are crediting "prayer alone for this miracle". Obviously many people worked hard on this case since the minute it was discovered that Elizabeth was missing. People are overjoyed that Elizabeth was found alive. Thank the media for keeping this situation in the public eye, Thank the observant people that recognized "Emanuel" and quickly called the police, Thank the police for responding quickly, Thank everyone and anyone that was involved in this wonderful rescue - and Thank God. Please, let's not turn this into a religious debate. Let's just express our joy.

Thanks all for your replies. I am surprised at the emotions this post caused. I thought it would be okay to post a message with my LDS views on the LDS section since it hadn't seemed to get much attention other than from LDS people in the past. I didn't expect religious debate of any kind, just expressing my happiness and feeling that good things CAN happen. Renee, thanks for pointing out that prayers alone did not bring Elizabeth home, people did. I was saying that the fact that people were so helpful WAS an answer to prayer in my personal opinion. Please please no one feel offended for my post. I know how the prayers for Chandra and Laci and all the many other missing people were not answered in the way we'd have liked. That is why it touched me so much when Elizabeth returned. Thanks again! -Hope

Thank you So much dlouis for requesting this not turn into a prayer debate!! I myself feel much JOY for this child and her family whatever the reason!! :D spete

I apologize if I turned this into a religious debate, it wasn't my intention. I totally respect people's views on prayer, and their religious preferences. I should have kept my mouth quiet because I have too many "issues" from my life in which I prayed and prayed and never were they answered. So, I question the power of prayer. I am THRILLED that Elizabeth is home safe and she has a wonderful support system with her family and friends to help her readjust to her life as best she can. I do envy people with such spirituality that brings them hope, and peace in their lives. Take care, Renee

(((((((Big Hugs To You))))))))) :D spete