Operation Underground Railroad and Religious Extremism

An examination of the religious influences, cultural factors, and media relationships that helped shape the rise of Operation Underground Railroad

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard have never hidden the influence of their faith on their anti-trafficking efforts. Both have frequently spoken about their religious beliefs, often framing their work as a moral and spiritual mission.

In this third video-op ed in the series, veteran investigative journalist Lynn Packer examines the role Mormonism played in the creation and growth of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). The report explores how religious beliefs, cultural influences, and ideological convictions shaped the organization’s identity, public messaging, and mission.

The video also examines the influence of broadcaster Glenn Beck, whose support helped elevate OUR from a little-known nonprofit into a nationally recognized anti-trafficking organization. Packer argues that Beck’s platform and influence were instrumental to the organization’s rise and may have played an even greater role in its early success than many realize.

Editor’s Note: Lynn Packer is an award-winning investigative reporter, television news consultant, law consultant and author of “Lying for the Lord: The Paul H. Dunn Stories“. Mr. Packer graduated from Utah State University with a broadcast journalism degree. He then served in the United States Army from ’68 through ’70 in Vietnam as a television news anchor and producer for the Armed Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN), Quang Tri detachment. He was awarded the Bronze Star. For 15 years Mr. Packer reported for KSL Television News in Salt Lake City. His teaching career spanned ten years as an adjunct journalism instructor at Brigham Young University and the University of Dortmund in Germany. We’d like to thank Mr. Packer for his service, dedication and contributions to journalism and ongoing quest for the truth.