A few media outlets are drawing erroneous connections between the reported bizarre religious writings of alleged kidnapper Brian David Mitchell and the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We remind journalists that the alleged perpetrators of this horrendous crime were not affiliated with the Mormon faith in any way, and had not been for years. In fact, as a Church statement issued on 13 March 2003 stated, the alleged perpetrators had already been formally excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for pursuing "bizarre teachings and a lifestyle far afield from the teachings of the Church."
There is no ambiguity about the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints relative to the practice of polygamy today. Simply, the practice of polygamy is grounds for excommunication. While it is true that polygamous communities exist in and around Utah, they have no affiliation whatever with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and should never be described as "Mormons" or "Mormon fundamentalists."
The following is an official Church response to erroneous reporting in the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia.
Sir/Madam:
In his speculative article concerning what might have motivated Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers, correspondent Gerard Wright suggests that it is the "Mormon religion" that is at the "core" of this story.
Nonsense. The alleged perpetrators of this horrendous crime were not affiliated with the Mormon faith in any way, and had not been for years. In fact, they had already been formally excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for pursuing "bizarre teachings and a lifestyle far afield from the teachings of the Church."
Neither does the Book of Mormon endorse polygamy, as stated. In fact, it does just the opposite.
If reporter Gerard Wright thinks that the Mormon faith is at the "core" of this story, may I suggest that next time he writes on the topic it might be well to make a simple phone call to the Church's offices in Salt Lake City or here in Carlingford. A few facts would not have gone astray.
Sincerely,
Alan Wakeley
International Director of Public Affairs
Australia/New Zealand and Asia North Areas
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints