SANTA CLARA — The family of LDS missionary Joseph Empey, who was injured in the bombing at the Brussels airport Tuesday, has responded to questions regarding his condition.
Elder Joseph Empey, 20, of Santa Clara; Elder Richard Norby, 66, of Lehi; and Elder Mason Wells, 19, of Sandy, were serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Paris, France, mission when the terrorist attack occurred.
On a post to their Facebook page the Empey family said:
Our hearts are broken for all those that lost their lives in the terror attack in Brussels today. We are grateful that Elder Empey and his companion Elder Wells are okay. A Senior missionary and sister missionary were also with them. They were all injured but getting treatment and doing well. Dres (Joseph) will need surgery on a leg wound and does have some shrapnel in his ankles and knee. He has some 2nd degree burns to his hands and head. He has been in contact with us. We would all like to thank you for your love and prayers. Love the Empey Family
The three missionaries were traveling with a fourth missionary, Sister Fanny Rachel Clain, 20, of Montélimar, France, who was being escorted to the airport en route to serve a mission assignment in Ohio, the Associated Press reported.
An updated release to the Mormon church’s website, mormonnewsroom.org said Clain also suffered minor injuries during the attack and has been hospitalized.
The LDS church’s statement said:
The Church has learned that the fourth missionary, Sister Fanny Rachel Clain, has also been hospitalized with minor injuries. As reported previously, she was with the three other missionaries who were injured, but had left them and passed through airport security when the explosion occurred. The Church will provide more information as we are able.
Gov. Gary Herbert and Sen. Mike Lee also issued statements in response to the attack.
“It is not uncommon for innocent victims to be targeted in these terrorist attacks, but seldom do we see people of faith who have forsaken everything — family, friends, school and careers — in order to share a message of hope and love with the world also fall victim,” a portion of Herbert’s statement said.
Sen. Lee said:
My heart goes out to all those who were killed and injured in this morning’s horrific terrorist attacks in Brussels. An attack like this is an attack on all of western civilization, a truth highlighted by the fact that three missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were injured in the blasts. My prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone touched by this tragedy.
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I hope this kid recovers quickly and fully.