I was shocked when I heard about the June 5 gunpoint kidnapping of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her Federal Heights home.
This was truly an act of domestic terrorism against Salt Lake City's peaceful urban neighborhoods. This kidnapping was a totally irrational, unprecedented event. According to news media, the Smart family locked the doors, had a security system and lived in one of the safest places I can imagine. They had no serious disagreements with other people, but still no ransom has been called in. It appears as if this attack was totally without reason.
Elizabeth's school canceled many festive end-of-the-year activities. Her church is holding special prayer meetings for her. People across the state and the nation are disturbed by this incident. But this tragedy has also brought out some of the very best in us.
My heart goes out, as do many others, to the Smart family. May God be willing to bring Elizabeth safely home to them.
Jake Garfield
Salt Lake City