While sitting in a federal courtroom listening to lawyers drone on about a change of venue for the accused kidnapper of Elizabeth Smart, my mind begins to wander.
I begin thinking there are similarities between Brian David Mitchell and another man who’s legal troubles I have also followed: Warren Jeffs.
Brian David Mitchell vs Warren Jeffs- Both are men of religion.
- Both claim to talk to God.
- Both also claim the legacy, if not the mantle, of Joseph Smith Jr.
- Both believe the mainstream LDS Church has lost it way.
- Jeffs is the defender of a religion that seems to have forsaken just about every other principal for “The Principal” – namely polygamy.
- Mitchell also practiced polygamy.
- Both are accused by authorities of taking girls as “spiritual wives”.
- Both face charges in multiple jurisdictions.
- Brian David Mitchell has been in jail now for seven years and has yet to be convicted.
- Warren Jeffs has been in jail now for four years and has just had his only convictions overturned by the Utah Supreme Court.
Now I’ve run out of comparisons.
Certainly there are a lot more differences between Jeffs and Mitchell than similarities. The first that comes to mind is that Mitchell is a better singer. (Mitchell’s range has improved with practice.)
But the parallels, while ultimately useless … are interesting…
Feel free to add to my list. Either one
