Elizabeth Smart

On Wednesday night’s episode of The Masked Dancer, Latter-day Saint activist Elizabeth Smart was revealed to be the woman behind the mask of the Moth. Smart jokingly said that “it’s been one of the bravest things that I’ve willingly done in my life,” and TODAY called it “one of the more surprising . . . reveals in the show’s history.” But what motivated Smart to appear on the show?

The latest video in the "Osmond Sound Advice" series features Elizabeth Smart as she shares a powerful message about the role forgiveness can play in survival. At age 14, Smart was taken from her home and held captive for nine months. Since then, she has worked as an activist against sexual assault and abuse and has shared how faith and family helped in her recovery.

Elizabeth Smart had always felt safe on an airplane until last year when she woke up from a nap on a plane to a man rubbing in between her legs on her inner thigh.

When Elizabeth Smart was 14 years old, she was abducted from her home in Utah. For nine months, she endured rape, starvation, and torture.

“If I can help one person, if I can bring some sort of healing to one person by telling my story, then it's worth it," Rabbi Avrohom (“Avremi”) Zippel said after testifying that his former nanny, Alavina Florreich, sexually abused him for 10 years.

"What a miracle!!!" Elizabeth Smart shared on Instagram about 13-year-old Jayme Closs, who was reunited with her family Thursday night.

On November 19, Elizabeth Smart announced the birth of her third child, a little girl named Olivia, on Instagram. In the post, she writes, "So happy to welcome Olivia to our family!"

After Elizabeth Smart held a press conferencelast week about Wanda Barzee's release, Barzee was released from prison on September 19.

On Instagram, Elizabeth Smart summarized her feelings regarding the release of Wanda Barzee: "I ask those that have the power, and her family to start proceedings to have her be civilly committed. To my knowledge she has neither complied with medication or treatment and as some one who has experienced first hand just how depraved she truly is, I believe her to be a threat and a danger not just to myself but to the community, any vulnerable person. I am very concerned and precautions have been taken however I refuse to live in fear. I have spent the last 15 years rebuilding and moving forward with my life, having a family, and pursuing my goals. I lived in absolute fear and terror for nine months, no matter the outcome I will not do so again."

"In the end what defines you is how you react, are the decisions that you make," Elizabeth Smart says in a new video that gained over 2.5 million views in 12 hours. "So I hope that whatever you are faced with, whatever you deal with, you just remember that you are who you decide to be. You are captain of your destiny. You are the one who decides who you are."

After learning that Wanda Barzee, the wife of Brian David Mitchell, would be released from prison on September 19, Elizabeth Smart released the following statement.

On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart woke to a strange voice in her room saying, "I have a knife at your neck. Don't make a sound. Get up and come with me." What ensued was nine months of rape and abuse at the hands of her captors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. About these months, Smart said, "There wasn't a single day I didn't pray. . . It was the hardest time of my life, without a doubt, but at the same time, it was one of the most spiritual times of my life because I felt my Savior's presence so strongly in my life."

On June 25, Elizabeth Smart announced on Instagram that she is expecting her third baby in November.

"If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being," President James E. Faust testified when he spoke on the healing power of forgiveness. "Some recent studies show that people who are taught to forgive become 'less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious and less stressed,' which leads to greater physical well-being. Another of these studies concludes 'that forgiveness . . . is a liberating gift [that] people can give to themselves.'"

“At least they know she is in a better place, not going through the hell that happened to her that day,” Ed Smart said of Elizabeth Salgado's family after the returned missionary's body was found in Provo Canyon. “The pain of not knowing, you know, constantly wondering and worrying, it’s like this wound that will not heal.”

Fifteen years ago today, Elizabeth Smart was rescued from her abductors that subjected her to nine months of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Since that time, Smart has become an advocate who focuses on protecting others from abuse as well as helping victims of rape, violence, and abuse.

The prominence of being a celebrity might be taxing at times, but it does provide a unique opportunity for people to publicly share and stand up for their beliefs.

"Can't believe this just happened," Elizabeth Smart writes on her Instagram post announcing her Emmy nomination.

Elizabeth Smart recently shared a message of hope to 13 siblings rescued from their parent's home in California.

Elizabeth Smart's captivity captured the attention of a nation. While the public nature of the darkest year of her life came with its own struggles, Elizabeth Smart has used her experience to become an advocate for change.

"It was a very serious, thought-out decision when I made it," Smart said about her upcoming movie, "and I am very proud of how it’s turned out, although I don’t think it will ever make it to my top-10 movies."

Child safety activist, ABC News contributor, and author Elizabeth Smart has bravely shared her harrowing story of abduction, rape, and survival with many.

"We’re here and we’re talking about big, dark, scary issues, issues that we don’t want to talk about," Elizabeth Smart said as she joined Deondra Brown from The 5 Browns to share their stories of sexual abuse and survival.

"I just felt like (this Lifetime film) was another opportunity to share my story, to help—hopefully—other victims realize that they’re not alone, and nobody deserves for these things to happen to them, but they do (happen), but that no matter how hard it gets, don’t give up," Elizabeth Smart said.

Editor's note: The following story discusses rape, sexual assault, and kidnapping and might be disturbing for some readers.

Fifteen years after her abduction, Elizabeth Smart says she is finally ready for a movie to tell her story. About the new Lifetime movie I Am Elizabeth Smart, Smart says, "I will say that it is the best worst movie I've ever seen. I mean, I think it's so well done. I think it was accurate. I'm very proud of it, but at the same time, part of me thinks I'll be happy if I never have to watch it again." Smart's story is currently being turned intotwo movies through Lifetime and A&E.

Elizabeth Smart, a mother of two and reporter on Crime Watch Daily, is now working as a producer and narrator on the Lifetime original movie about her harrowing kidnapping in 2002. Set to be released later this year, the movie is told from Smart's perspective as she addresses many of the misconceptions about her nine-month captivity and the rape, abuse, and starvation she endured.

Elizabeth Smart shared the cutest picture of her with her son, James, on his blessing day yesterday.

Elizabeth Smart posted a picture of her family on Instagram for Mother's Day, sharing the first full family photo since having her second child, James, in April.

Elizabeth Smart announced the birth of her second child with an adorable Easter picture showing her 2-year-old Chloe holding her new baby brother.

Two years ago, recently returned missionary Elizabeth Salgado left classes at the Nomen Global Language Center in Provo, Utah, and no one ever saw her again. She had arrived in Provo just three weeks earlier to study English. Salgado's family is still searching for their missing daughter and sister, along with the family of Elizabeth Smart.

Elizabeth Smart shares how her harrowing experiences led her to become an advocate, found a non-profit, and inspire others. "I would like to think that I would have done it regardless, but if I really think about it, I mean I would have felt terrible, but would I have spoken out? Probably not. And even if I did, who would listen? So it has definitely changed my life for the better," she says.

On Monday at the Sonoma County Women in Conversation event in Santa Rosa, California, Elizabeth Smart recounted her harrowing abduction.

At an Indiana State University speaking event featuring Elizabeth Smart, a police officer noticed an 80-year-old man playing with a knife, staring at Elizabeth Smart, according to CBS News.

As we look forward to a new year and a fresh start, there's still time to reminisce about some of the stories and memories that have touched our lives and helped us become better people this past year. Here are some of our favorite Mormon moments from 2016 that we hope will touch your heart once again and inspire you to remember the things that matter most and are worth remembering as you make your New Year's resolutions for 2017.

Everyone loves a good wedding photo, especially when it's backdropped by a beautiful temple. Check out these 10 wedding photos from famous Mormons:

At a ceremony honoring them for their humanitarian work, President Russell M. Nelson and Elizabeth Smart noted how they have come to develop compassion for those who suffer. Though a dark part of her past, Elizabeth Smart noted that were it not for her kidnapping, she "would never have known what it was like to be hungry, to go without, to be cold." And President Nelson noted of his experience, “Speaking of refugees, our hearts have been touched—indeed, nearly broken—as we have recently observed the unimaginable hardships that millions have had to endure."

Recently, in an interview with Broadly, Elizabeth Smart shared some of the unintentional but devastating and potentially crippling side effects that can result from the way Mormon culture addresses chastity.

Disclaimer: The following content contains subjects that may be troubling for some readers regarding rape, abduction, and pornography.

Former BYU student Elizabeth Smart interviewed two BYU graduates in her first turn as a correspondent for the Fox TV show Crime Watch Daily. The graduates said they were raped while they were students and then were investigated by the Honor Code Office.

*Editor's Note: This story summarizes some of the experiences Elizabeth Smart Gilbert shared from her personal life, including being kidnapped and raped when 14 years old. Some details may be disturbing to readers. Read at your own discretion.

On June 5, 2002, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic, Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.

Two years ago on a cold blue night in Park City, Utah, Elizabeth Smart (Gilmour) saved a teen’s life. But the real miracle? Smart wasn’t even there.

Caution: The following article provides quotes and accounts from Elizabeth Smart's life that some readers may find disturbing.

MR says: We are so happy for Elizabeth Smart, who is now living out her greatest aspiration to be a mother.