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Drake Kearney
English 3
9 May 2016
Missionaries and the Sacrifices They Make

On March 22, 2016, 4 missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints were injured in a bombing within an airport. Three of the missionaries, Elder
Mason Wells, Elder Richard Norby, and Elder Joseph Dres Empey, were there to escort
the fourth, Sister Clain, who had been recently assigned to an area in Cleveland, Ohio,
U.S.A. They were all seriously injured and the bombing had been committed by the
notorious terrorist group, ISIS. How does an act of terror effect someone who is willing
enough to sacrifice years of their life preaching about love and peace?
During the first few weeks or so the missionaries wounds were being treated in
Brussels. According to Ladd Egdan and Viviane Vo-Due, Sister Clain had received
second degree burn, shrapnel, and later an infection had occurred because of the
shrapnel. Mason wells had a ruptured Achilles tendon on his left leg, a broken left heel,
and the skin on his legs had been torn off the surface. Elder Norby had received second
and third degree burns over thirty-five percent of his body including his face, arms,
torso, and legs. According to Niraj Chokshi, the 66 year old missionary, Norby, had been
put into a medically induced coma due to the injuries sustained in order to allow his
body to properly heal and rest.
While in the hospital in Brussels, Mason Wells described the attack, I actually
saw fire in front of my face and on the ground around me and I - I know that the burns
came from that(Dunn). He later said, I was covered in a fair amount of blood, not
necessarily my own. I remembered seeing fire in front of my face and fire around my feet

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on the ground. Sister Clain had also said, There was just an enormous noise, like the
end of the world in a second, and I found myself on the ground and debris was
everywhere. I was covered in gray stuff, it smelled like burning pork(Walch). These
quotes show how they had barely survived and were fairly close to the explosions.
After spending time in Brussels, Elder Empey was the first of the American
missionaries to return home, followed by Elder Wells, and then Elder Norby after his
medically induced coma had been discontinued (Wells, Whitney). Sister Clain decided to
stay in Antwerp until she fully recovers from her injuries and then intends to finish her
mission according to FOX news. They are recovering from these injuries fairly well. The
University of Utah Hospital, where the three American missionaries will continue their
recovery, stated after their return, Both Joseph Dres Empey and Mason Wells are in
fair condition and are expected to make full recoveries. They are recovering in the
University's Burn Center and are being treated by a team led by Dr. Giovanni Lewis.
Mason Wells is also recovering from an Achilles tendon injury caused by shrapnel. Dr.
Giovanni Lewis also spoke saying, Id like to emphasize, and i think they would too,
that they just feel incredibly lucky to have survived this injury. And they are doing quite
well, in good spirits and theyre healing well (Wells, Whitney). This shows how well they
were treated in Belgium, how headstrong the missionaries are, and it shows how they
might have more help than people realise.
It's almost as if the Lord is trying tell the people of Earth that he is waiting for
them and will always care for them, and is doing this through these four willing
individuals. Much like people believe the Aeolian harp is the voice of God, these
missionaries are acting like an instrument in Gods hands, and are happily doing so. A
few years ago two missionaries were held for ransom and then released, but had then
made a movie about their experience called The Saratov Approach and had touched
the lives of others. These four missionaries are, again, doing the same thing.

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People forget that there is more to life than money and objects. For example, the
families of these people are extremely grateful. Sister Pamela Norby stated, We are
grateful for the faith that we have and for the trust and belief that we have in our
Heavenly father and His Son Jesus Christ. (Swenson). Joseph Empeys father, Court
Empey, said, Thanks so much for your love and concern and prayers and well wishes
for our boy. Life is good. God is good.(Empey). We often get caught up in the matters of
the world and miss out on what we already have. These missionaries and their families
have not.
Now it is understood that the rumors about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints can be quite appealing to the human mind, and can cause people to doubt
that there is a God, but if there really is a God then he is truly with these missionaries.
They have and/or will devote years of their lives to spreading what they believe to be the
truth of the Gospel, and are happily doing so even if they are having near death
experiences. Elder Empey said All weve received is love and support and prayers, and
everyone's just been so awesome to us,(Egan, Vo-Duc) and later said Just seeing all
the support I received felt like it helped people come together as a community...It's kind
of part of my story and Its an interesting story to share with people (Osinski). They are
grateful for being alive and well, and are very appreciative of all the help people have
given them. Even church authorities, in and out of the LDS Church, are amazed and
happy for these missionaries.
Devon Dewey reported that a church authority, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, visited Mason Wells and Joseph Empey on March 30,
2016. According to Wells mother, Kymberly, Elder Oaks was very personable and
funny. Danielle B. Wagner reported that on March 25, 2016 Cardinal Timothy Dolan,
Archbishop of New York, praised the four missionaries stating that their enthusiasm
towards the Lord is a Great example. These missionaries arent only touching people

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face to face but are now reaching into people's hearts through their pure attitude and
love for the Lord.
These missionaries have been terrorised, injured, and threatened by ruthless,
heartless, murdering terrorists. They have been hospitalised, and forced to remain inside
for weeks, because of these people, yet they are recovering remarkably. Not just
physically, but mentally as well, and have not even been shaken spiritually. With the
support of their friends, family, and faith they have defeated the purpose of a terrorist
attack, and have shown us what it truly means to be grateful. An act of terror does little to
no damage to a person who has sacrificed years of their life preaching about love and
peace.

Works Cited
2 Mormon Missionaries Hurt in Brussels Attack Return to Utah NBC NEWS [Article] 29 Mar.
2016

Chokshi, Niraj Four Mormon missionaries hurt and hospitalized in Brussels attack The
Washington Post [Article] 22 Mar. 2016

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Dewey, Devon Elder Oaks visits injured missionaries Mason Wells, Joseph Empey at hospital
KSL.com [Article] 30 Mar. 2016

Dunn, James 'There was fire around my face and by my feetand I was covered in blood':
Mormon who survived Brussels attacks but suffered horrendous facial burns talks of airport
bombing ordeal from hospital bed DailyMail.com [Article] 25 Mar. 2016

Egan, Ladd, Vo-Duc, Viviane Former Mormon missionary looks for positive since Belgian blast
Deseret News [Article] 8 May 2016

Empey, Court Elder Empey: Week 88 Elder Empey [Blog] 1 April 2016

Mormon missionary injured in Brussels attack returns to Utah FOX NEWS [Article] 17 April
2016

Osinski, Nichole Santa Clara missionary injured in Brussels bombing recounts attack
TheSpectrum [Article] 31 April 2016

Swenson, Jason Elder Richard Norby continues his recovery in Utah hospital Deseret News
[Article] 8 May 2016

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"This morning, Matt spoke with injured American Mason Wells, who is still
hospitalized overseas." Today [Transcript] 25 Mar. 2016. Global Issues In Context.
Web. 7 May 2016.

Updates on Mormon Missionaries Injured in Belgium Explosion Newsroom [Article] 22 Mar.

2016

Wagner, Danielle Catholic Cardinal Praises LDS Missionary Injured in Brussels Attacks
LDSLiving [Article] 29 Mar. 2016

Walch, Tad Mormon sister missionary injured in Brussels said bomb felt like end of the world
Deseret News [Article] 8 May 2016

Walch, Tad Senior-most LDS missionary injured in Brussels blast returns to Utah Deseret
News [Article] 8 May 2016

Walch, Tad Sister Clain released from hospital, Wells has skin graft surgery, Norby family to
hold news conference Deseret News [Article] 8 May 2016

Wells, David, Whitney, Zach Doctors, parents talk about progress of two missionaries in
Brussels terrorist attack FOX NEWS [Article] 31 Mar. 2016

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