From the onset, the morning of Tuesday, 22 March 2016, began just as any other day in Brussels, Belgium. No one could have suspected that in the course of those early morning hours, a series of events would drastically change the lives of both nationals and visitors to the country alike. In a short period of time, what began as a typical morning, soon became oppressively solemn.
On that morning, Belgium experienced the deadliest act of terrorism known in its entire history. Three nail bombings targeted at civilians and transport hubs occurred within a little over an hour apart in two different locations. Two of the bombings occurred at approximately 7:58 a.m. in the departure hall of Brussels Airport in Zaventem, and the other occurred at approximately 9:11 a.m. at Maalbeek metro station in Brussels. In the aftermath of those attacks, 32 victims, and 3 perpetrators lost their lives, and another 316 victims were injured, of which 62 were listed as being in critical condition. It is reported that another bomb was found during the search of the airport and that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Belgian government declared three days of national mourning.
Elders Mason Wells and Joseph Empey
Among the injured in the attacks were four missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Three of the four are from Utah – Elder Richard Norby, 66, of Lehi; Elder Joseph Empey, 20, of Santa Clara; and Elder Mason Wells, 19, of Sandy – and the fourth missionary, Sister Fanny Rachel Clain, 20, is from Montélimar, France. Norby, Empey, and Wells were at Zaventem Airport escorting Clain who was headed to a missionary assignment in Ohio and had already cleared airport security when the blast went off.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement after the attacks, “Our prayers are with the families of the deceased and injured, including three of our missionaries who were injured and hospitalized. We also pray for the people of Belgium and France as they continue to deal with the uncertainty and devastation caused by the recent terrorist attacks.”
As a tribute to Brussels, as well as, the missionaries who were injured in the attacks, Alex Boyé released a video of an Africanized version of the song “Something Inside So Strong” on his YouTube channel on 31 March 2016. Eno Explores in her comment about the video perhaps expressed best the message that Alex wanted to convey. She said, “Alex…man! Just tears. What a tribute. Thank you for the humanity you show. Your song broke via pain and was all embracing. Thank you for this. I heard you loud and clear. This was a tribute for both the living and those that passed.” At the end of the video, Alex encourages us all to “fight the good fight.!” All proceeds from the video go to the relief of those who were victims of the blast.
BYU Men’s Chorus also released a tribute video on their YouTube channel on 25 March 2016. In the video, they sing an inspiring and uplifting rendition of the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” In the description of the video is the following note from the members of the Choir written in both English and French, “To all our friends who have been affected by the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Paris, Turkey, and around the world: we, the members of the BYU Men’s Chorus want to share this message of hope with you. When life leads you through dark and stormy paths, know that you will never walk alone. We are praying for you.”
We, at Latter-day Saint Musicians, add our prayers to those of Alex Boyé, the members of the BYU Men’s Chorus, and many others around the world, with this message to the people in Belgium and France:
Continuez à combattre le bon combat et je sais que à cause de quelque chose de si fort à l’intérieur de chaque vous, vous obtiendrez grâce à cela, et je sais aussi que vous n’êtes pas seul – vous ne marcheras jamais seul. Nos prières continues sont avec vous. Dieu vous protège.
Continue to fight the good fight and know that because of something so strong inside of each you, you will get through this, and also know that you are not alone – you never walk alone. Our continued prayers are with you. God bless.
