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BYU basketball: Player, companion hurt in attack
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Cougar | 10:31 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Next time the media tells us what an advantage it is to have returned
missionaries would you please send them this story. I sure hope both young men
are ok and won't be scared by this random event. Go Cougs
Hate crime | 10:34 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
This is a hate crime. But no one will call it a hate crime.
Why? | 10:36 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
How unfortunate this report is........but why is it front page just because the
victim was a basketball player?
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
That's really sad. Hopefully the two elders can get healthy again quickly.
I have no doubt that the Lord helped save their lives by having that person in
the car shine their headlights on them.
WOW! | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
This is verryy suprising to me, I've always known Australians to be
non-violent people. Hope they catch these men!
sob | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
hope he makes full recovery in body and spirit
hsfootballfan | 10:54 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
My thoughts and prayers go out to these two young men and their families. I
hope both Elders recover quickly and with no long term effects.
Anonymous | 10:55 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
wow! what an experience! glad the two missionaries are safe!
Brett | 11:09 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Elder Collinsworth,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your companion, and your families. Thank you for your service. You are a great example!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your companion, and your families. Thank you for your service. You are a great example!
Anonymous | 11:11 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
how many more of these kid's is the lds church going to put in harm's
way ?
RM | 11:21 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I had plenty of mistreatment while on my mission, but nothing close to that.
Several Elders in my zone while I was their leader were held up at gun point,
and when the trigger was pulled the gun misfired. Karma? I think not.
Anonymous | 11:22 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Seriously, who attacks a 6'9" man walking down the street with another
guy? That takes some real guts (or drunkenness). I'll never understand
how Mormon missionaries always end up saying they love the people they lived
among, what with constant insults, taunts, and sometimes, as we see here,
violence.
wow | 11:23 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I hope both men turn out ok after the attack.
Get Well Soon | 11:28 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Hope these missionaries recover quickly and the attackers are captured.
Anonymous | 11:32 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
its front page because someone from your state got stabbed moron
Re: Hate Crime | 11:35 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I agree. It ought to be prosecuted as such!
Anonymous | 11:37 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Sorry to hear this. Prayers for both Elders to have a full and speedy recovery.
Ken | 11:38 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Thanks for your service Elders. You were assalted blindsightly by nothing but
pure cowardiss. There are many people who await your message in Austrailia, so
keep on keeping on.
To Why | 11:40 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Because it's an online update, duh! It's not front page in the paper.
Have some intelligence please.
rvalens2 | 11:47 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Re: Why?
Obviously, you have forgotten who reads the DN.
This unprovoked attack on two LDS missionaries would have been front page news even if Collinsworth had not been a BYU basketball player.
Attacks on LDS missionaries rarely rise to the level of attempted homicide. That, in itself, makes it worthy of being front page news.
Obviously, you have forgotten who reads the DN.
This unprovoked attack on two LDS missionaries would have been front page news even if Collinsworth had not been a BYU basketball player.
Attacks on LDS missionaries rarely rise to the level of attempted homicide. That, in itself, makes it worthy of being front page news.
re: Why | 11:49 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I see you don't really pay attention very well to what is going on around
you. Either that or you are biased against athletes. Your moronic statement of
"just because the victim was a basketball player" tells us you are
either not aware or are ignoring the fact that the DNews and Utah tv stations
have all reported attacks against missionaries as front page news whether they
were athletes or not.
Best wishes to Elders Collinsworth and Ferguson for a full recovery.
Best wishes to Elders Collinsworth and Ferguson for a full recovery.
Idahoan | 11:54 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Maybe it is a front-page story because the victims are missionaries, the wounds
are serious, and one of them is from Provo.
K Heaps | 11:57 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers go out to these two brave young elders.
Dangerous World | 11:58 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
We live in a dangerous world.
Good thing that the car came with its lights on.
This may have just been random, or it could have been
directed especially at the Elders because they were LDS/Mormon Elders or maybe it was becuase Elder Collingworth is so tall. One never knows what motivates this type of behavior, but these acts of extreme violence can happen to anyone right here in the good ole USA too.
Thank God for the fact that it wasn't worse and
HOPE the authorities can find the truly BAD guys.
Good thing that the car came with its lights on.
This may have just been random, or it could have been
directed especially at the Elders because they were LDS/Mormon Elders or maybe it was becuase Elder Collingworth is so tall. One never knows what motivates this type of behavior, but these acts of extreme violence can happen to anyone right here in the good ole USA too.
Thank God for the fact that it wasn't worse and
HOPE the authorities can find the truly BAD guys.
The Lord | 11:58 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
If the Lord was protecting the Missionaries they would not have been attacked at
all by these men. That is the true freedom of free agency, They were Lucky
somone came by and scared the Boys away. Missions are dangerious in Lots of
these countries around the world and I am amazed more of these Young men and
women are not in more situations like this. Just teach them to always be very
away of what is going on around them all the time and they can avoid a lot of
these situations. I hope they recover quickly and this should never happen to
anyone. I hope they catch those Losers who hurt them and lock them up for a very
long time. BTW- I went on a Mission 27 years ago and know the dangers that are
out there.
Anonymous | 12:01 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The officials are unsure of the motive for the attack? You dont attack a
6'9'' guy just for money. Its obviously for the religion.
Why...not? | 12:03 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
It is front page news because LDS Missionaries are rarely attacked or physically
threatened. They provide service in their communities and are spreading the
message of Jesus Christ, which is void of violence. Missions are pretty much
the safest place for a young man to be involved. And the LDS Church is of
interest to residents in the state of Utah, where the LDS church is based. That
is why it is news.
Wisdom? | 12:04 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I wonder if these men were drunk. I mean, if I wanted to attack someone, I
think I would pick someone that wasn't 6'9" - call me crazy. Even
if the target was specifically missionaries, I'm sure there are smaller
missionaries around Australia than him!
VF | 12:10 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Dear Why?,
They made the front page because they were two missionaries that got beaten up by some hoods in Austrailia.
What a silly question. Please smarten up.
They made the front page because they were two missionaries that got beaten up by some hoods in Austrailia.
What a silly question. Please smarten up.
Anonymous | 12:11 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Reminds me of experiences I had. Actually, most parents should be glad they
don't hear of everything their missionary is subject to.
veedub | 12:13 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I am also happy to know that their wounds weren't life-threatening. When
you have your kids out on missions, there are the kinds of things you worry
about.
But I'm curious why Elder Ferguson's name was first mentioned only in parentheses. Because he wasn't a well-known basketball player? or maybe because he was from Montana? I would think commas would be better there.
But I'm curious why Elder Ferguson's name was first mentioned only in parentheses. Because he wasn't a well-known basketball player? or maybe because he was from Montana? I would think commas would be better there.
Anonymous | 12:19 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I wonder if they had an encounter earlier, like at a restaurant or club. Were
they out late for missionaries?
fball | 12:29 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Had that happened to a football player the results would have been different.
Anyway I hope both of them are OK.
zack | 12:31 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Re:Anonymous
Do you really think it's the church that puts them in harm's way? FYI--these kids CHOOSE to serve. No one's putting them up to it.
Do you really think it's the church that puts them in harm's way? FYI--these kids CHOOSE to serve. No one's putting them up to it.
Hate crime... | 12:37 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I believe you just did. Call it a hate crime that is.
Otis Spurlock | 12:38 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Missionaries should be required to carry pepper spray. When I was on my mission
we were frequently attacked by dogs (and even a wild monkey one time).
Cantfoolme | 12:38 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I hope Elder's Collinsworth and Ferguson recover soon. You're in our
prayes. As for Anonymous, the Church doesn't send these men in harms way.
They volunteer to go and they pay their own way. If you are so scared to leave
your comfort zone then stay home. We allow everyone everwhere to do as they
choose. We choose different than you. Will you allow us to choose our own way,
even if you dissagree?
Re: Anon 11:11 | 12:41 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I am so glad to know you are genuinely concerned about the well being of these
"kids". I would hate to think your comment was motivated by some
missplaced dislike for the LDS church and your concern was merely a smokescreen
for yet another unprovoked attack against the church. Even still, I hardly
think 19 to 21+ year old males qualify as "kids". Sending them to
Iraq would certainly be placing them in harms way. Sending them to Australia?
I admit I can't see the harm in that. With 40000 missionaries out in the
world at the same time, there is going to be unfortuneate events that occur from
time to time. Seems to me they feel their cause is Just and that is exactly
where they want to be. On the news yesterday they showed a cellphone video of
two high school kids beating each other to a pulp in a highschool locker room.
Apparently their parents should be ashamed for putting their kids in harms way
by sending them to school. When you consider all the violence happening in
schools around this country, it seems that being on a mission is a pretty safe
place to be.
GoUtes!
GoUtes!
Mongo | 12:44 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
What do you think you know, Anonymous? I was in harm's way a few times in
Argentina, but I would go back in a minute. Why do you think so many men in
Iraq re-up? Do think they are afraid of being in harm's way? The Church
does not force young men to go on missions--it is their CHOICE. Show's how
little you know.
Real Cougar | 12:47 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Wow... I just got off the phone with Chris's mom. She said this story is
"extremely off." Nice reporting skills, DesNews!! So concerned with
getting the story first that you don't care about getting the facts
straight!
To Anonymous... | 12:49 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The LDS Church puts no missionaries in harms way. They work very hard to keep
missionaries safe all over the world. Both the Missionaries and their families
are aware of the risk when they put in their papers to serve. My son has been
in Brazil for 8 months so I know of that risk. They go willingly and even pay
for it themselves! They will conintue to go as long as there are young men,
young women and older couples not to mention older sisters that feel the calling
from the Lord to serve. Don't blame the church for the choice made by
it's faithful members. Remember it's a choice to serve. It's
also a choice to obey the Word of Wisdom so in your reasoning members of the
church that get into drugs it should be asked, "how many more of these
kid's is the lds church going to put in harm's way ?" You make a
choice good or bad and the consequences/risks/benefits or blessings are yours to
own. This young man and his companion were attacked by a BAD group. Who's
to say that one of them wasn't a member making a choice?
re: anonymous | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Actually, both anonymous entries.
1st; "the kid's" as 19 year old young men or older choose to go and serve their God. They spread a message about Christ and of peace and love. You will find rare exceptions to the fact that they love the experience and feel very safe and protected.
2nd; the sum total of their experience is not found in the insults, taunts, etc. They also get to witness the impact Christ has in people's lives that are in fact themselves victims of worse treatment than these young men have every experiences. They bring a message of hope and love. As they see the change one goes through with Christ in their life the end result is a strong and eternal love for the people. On another line of reasoning, as they forgive those that treat them badly the result is a heart with room to love.
And experience I highly recommend for anyone!
I hope that these 2 Elders find peace and love through forgiving those that attacked them. Hopefully, they can find them and share the story of Alma the younger and the son's of Mosiah with them.
1st; "the kid's" as 19 year old young men or older choose to go and serve their God. They spread a message about Christ and of peace and love. You will find rare exceptions to the fact that they love the experience and feel very safe and protected.
2nd; the sum total of their experience is not found in the insults, taunts, etc. They also get to witness the impact Christ has in people's lives that are in fact themselves victims of worse treatment than these young men have every experiences. They bring a message of hope and love. As they see the change one goes through with Christ in their life the end result is a strong and eternal love for the people. On another line of reasoning, as they forgive those that treat them badly the result is a heart with room to love.
And experience I highly recommend for anyone!
I hope that these 2 Elders find peace and love through forgiving those that attacked them. Hopefully, they can find them and share the story of Alma the younger and the son's of Mosiah with them.
Re: Anonymous 11:22 | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
You don't understand because it is obvious you have never served a
mission. Did you read the comment how he is anxious to get back to work? You
feel the love of the people and the love of your work. The hatred bounces of
you. The missionaries know the true meaning of service and do so without
question or fear.
Troutman | 12:54 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I served my mission to Brisbane from 1974-1976, and we had a bridge to cross to
get to our meetings every Friday and Sunday. We rode bikes across this two mile
bridge across Sandgate Bay. It was a bridge from hell! I cannot count the many
times that my companion and I were purposely thrown at with all kinds of things,
beer botles, eggs, lettuce, yes even lettuce, and plus the many times they tried
to run us off the road and into the bay. One time as we were crossing, I was in
front single file riding the bike, when I look back and see that my companion
had been forced off the bridge and was literally hanging onto the rail of the
bridge. Overall, I simply loved Australia, but there is several young people
there that have a vendetta out against the missionaries for some reason. Many
of the Aussies don;t like our affluence and are jealous of our lifestyle. At
least back then it was that way. Now, I understand that they have a higher
standard of living than we do. "The bridge that was a nightmare was called
the Hornibrook bridge. Look it up!
Re: Anonymous at 11:22 am | 12:55 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
You wouldn't understand...
arc | 12:59 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I hope they recover quick. Where in Sydney?
The SL Trib had an area, but not very specific.
The SL Trib had an area, but not very specific.
Anonymous | 1:01 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The LDS church doesnt "put" the Elder's in harms way. You choose
to go.
missionary mom | 1:04 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
My sentiments go to the elders and their families. Violence is sickening when
done to the innocent. I pray justice is served and the attackers are found.
CS | 1:09 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
"How many more of these kids is the LDS Church going to put in harms
way?" Actually, most young men 19- and 20-years old are much safer out
serving missions than their peers who aren't serving missions. This is a
tragic event, but needless to say, they were protected from what could have
otherwise been a fatal situation.
I pray for a speedy and full recovery for these fine young men.
I pray for a speedy and full recovery for these fine young men.
Anonymous | 1:13 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Yeah, I feel for the kid and my prayers go out to him. But it's just funny
that Deseret News puts it in the sports section... Articles like this belong in
the Church News.
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Chris Collinsworth, right, played in all 35 games last year for BYU, averaging 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. He's been in Australia on a mission for about six months.
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