LDS missionary suffers broken jaw

An LDS Church missionary was recovering from a broken jaw Thursday following an assault near Richmond, Va.

Elder Tyler Bowen, from Fruit Heights, had his jaw shattered during an attack Wednesday, his younger brother Jace Bowen confirmed. Tyler Bowen was taken to the hospital, and his jaw remained swollen Thursday, Jace Bowen said.

The family had little other information about the incident.

"We have no idea what provoked it. He's doing OK. (But) it was pretty bad," Jace Bowen said.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Thursday confirming there was an incident in Virginia but labeled it as a minor confrontation and said the elder was treated at a local hospital and released. The church did not release the names of either of the missionaries.

The two missionaries already were back at work in Virginia, according to the church statement.

"The safety and well-being of our missionaries is of the highest priority, and we take any necessary precautions to ensure their protection," according to the statement.

The Bowen family did not know Thursday if Tyler Bowen's companion was injured or involved in the incident. They said Tyler Bowen is scheduled to come home in September.