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When Amber Empey received word that her son had been seriously injured in a terrorist airport bombing in Brussels, she heard it first from 20-year-old Joseph Dresden Empey himself.

It brought her family immediate comfort and peace, she said Thursday during a news conference at University Hospital, where her son and another injured Utah missionary, 19-year-old Mason Wells, are receiving care.

"[But] there were a lot of parents and loved ones who did not receive a positive phone call," the mother lamented. "And our hearts break when we think about all of the people who have suffered and will continue to suffer forever because of these tragic events. We are so excited about how our sons are doing. ... But along with that comes a lot of sadness."

Amber Empey, along with her husband, Court Empey, spoke with reporters Thursday alongside Wells' parents — Kymberly and Chad Wells — about their sons' medical conditions after the March 22 attacks.

The parents said they are grateful that their sons were not more seriously injured, adding that they are still thinking of and praying for those who died or have a longer recovery ahead of them.

"Our son has received excellent care," Chad Wells said. "He's making remarkable progress. Our thoughts and hearts are still with the Norby family and Clain [family] and those who were injured with our son and Dres Empey. We are fortunate. We feel blessed that they survived. However, we know that there were a lot of people who didn't have the same outcome as us and we are very mindful of the loss that a lot of people have suffered."

A third injured Utah missionary, 66-year-old Richard Norby, of Lehi, remains at a Brussels hospital, where on Saturday he was brought out of a medically induced coma. He is responsive, according to a statement released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and awaits surgery on a broken leg and to remove shrapnel before being brought home to the United States for additional care.

A fourth LDS missionary, 20-year-old Fanny Rachel Clain, from Montelimar, France, also was hurt in the attacks. She was en route to Ohio to serve her mission when the bombing occurred.

University of Utah doctors who are treating Joseph Empey and Mason Wells, who were missionary companions, said the two men will likely make full recoveries from their burn and shrapnel injuries, but they noted it is too early to say when they might be released from the hospital.

Wells may need further surgery on his injuries, according to the doctors, while Empey will likely heal without additional surgery.

Stephen Morris, head of the U.'s burn center, said Thursday that the two men need time — and space — to heal.

"Distractions are a significant issue in patients that are healing," Morris said. "If their lives are filled with a lot of distraction, they do not have time to pay attention to wounds and therapy, as well as to the effects this has on the mind and soul. This is all part of the healing process."

Court Empey said the two young missionaries saw each other for the first time since the bombings just two days ago at the Utah hospital. The father said he believes the two will be a source of comfort and support for each other as they recover.

"They talked about some specific feelings they had," he said, "and it was really an amazing experience to watch them reconnect after a week of being in different hospitals."

The parents say they will now focus on bringing their sons back to health and help the young men as they return to "normal," which will include going to college and focusing on their future careers.

Kymberly Wells said her biggest concern for her son is whether he will be able to fulfill his dreams of joining the military.

"Since he was a young kid, he has always wanted to serve his country," she said. "At a very young age, he had a very specific path. That very possibly could change. … So, for Mason, this may be a change of course from what he thought he was going to do. Maybe not. I know what this kid is passionate about, and I hope he will be able to find a way."

Wells, of Sandy, and Empey, of Santa Clara, have both been released from their missions, church officials said earlier this week, and Norby soon will be.

Clain will resume her missionary service in the United States when she is "fit enough to do so," according to the Utah-based faith.

Chad Wells encouraged the parents of other missionaries not to worry about their children, saying the good in the world outweighs the bad.

"I'm just as comfortable to send my next two boys out on an LDS mission as I did the first one," he said, "because I trust God. … Our message today is about peace and hope and healing and faith. And trusting in God and living your life, and to get up and move forward. Each day there's challenges out there, but we can overcome them through faith and hope."

Twitter: @jm_miller