My theory? It's based on the assumption that the person on TV you saw was a Mormon. As it happens, I know pretty accurately how Mormons think, seeing as I am one.

If he or she was a Mormon, then I am certain that he (or she) thanked our Heavenly Father profusely for Elizabeth's return. I know for a fact that her family did so, in any case. (As you might guess, the events of the return were pretty heavily reported in Mormon circles.) So ... if this person thanked God, why wasn't it on the news for you to see?

I predict that when the news media was editing the film clip for the broadcast sound bite, they eliminated the part about thanking God and Jesus, and just left in the "thanks for your prayers". Not saying they were anti-religion or anything. Just saying they only had 10 seconds or whatever for the clip, and of course what news editor worth his salt would put in a heartfelt pro-God comment when there is a heartfelt pro-other-people comment they could use instead?

I predict that when the news media was editing the film clip for the broadcast sound bite, they eliminated the part about thanking God and Jesus...

You're right: that could be. It makes some sense. I've seen the same thing happen after football games, and with heros, and I've even heard sports journalists say their peers do tend to omit such statements.

But why? Isn't a person's religious beliefs a valid part of the story? If we get to learn so-and-so raises horses, why not also learn they thank Allah, or God, or Krishna or whoever?

Perhaps some people's discomfort with this area admits something about their own religious and psychological disposition.