Elizabeth Smart, kidnapped from her home June 2002 at the age of 14, at last got justice on Wednesday as her kidnapper Brian David Mitchell was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The life sentence of 57-year old Mitchell concluded a huge legal battle that lasted for years after he was first arrested.

Mitchell was a fringe Mormon street preacher who believed he had a divine mandate to take seven wives and restore the Mormon Church to polygamy and the original teachings of Joseph Smith.

At the sentencing, Smart, who confronted Mitchell face-to-face for the first time since her capture, said the following to him:

I don't have very much to say to you. I know exactly what you did. I know that you know what you did was wrong. You did it with a full knowledge. I also want you to know that I have a wonderful life now, that no matter what you do will it affect me again. You took away nine months of my life that can never be returned, but in this life or next, you will have to be held responsible for those actions, and I hope you are ready for when that time comes.

She also said I was happy for the opportunity to say what I felt I needed to say, and I am thrilled it's over, said Smart.

Smart is a strong woman who has overcome a painful past, but it's a past she denies to let rules over her future, and before walking away from rapist forever, she left him with these powerful words, I want you to know I have a beautiful life now.

Religion