You notice that early on in the case, Ed Smart called the Bishop in.
Calling the Bishop of a ward is a very LDS (Mormon) thing to do. It is for spiritual comfort that we call the bishop, he can coordinate whatever help is necessary (and don't read anything into that statement.) A lot of times in tragedies familes can be totally non-functional, and it is a good thing to know that the Relief Society women will be bringing in meals, watching kids, cleaning the house, listening, whatever needs to be done in a time of need and/or tragedy. The LDS men would be there to help also. That used to be neighborly compassion. And I know that ministers and preachers of other churches also help in times of need and tragedy.
As far as the unwashed massed (me included, I presume), looking to the 'Hierarchy' of the LDS on how to react to the Smart abduction and other things that happen to the community is...I can't think of a nice word to say: ludicrous. Contrary to popular opinion, the hierarchy does not stand over us each and every Sunday and tell us what to think and how to act each week to each and every given situation. As Joseph Smith said "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves." For the first few weeks after Elizabeth Smart's abduction, you would hear prayers for her, now it is down to all abducted children. (And now I'm sure we will be set upon because we are so calloused to forget her abduction.) No, she is being remembered in family prayers in many homes here.