SALT LAKE CITY -- A pair of LDS missionaries was attacked and stabbed while returning to their apartment in a suburb of Sydney, Australia.

In a statement, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says Chris M. Collinsworth, 19, of Mapleton, Utah, and David A. Ferguson, 21, of Great Falls, Mont., were both hospitalized after the Tuesday night attack.

Alisa Collinsworth says her son was stabbed in the back near his kidney. She says Ferguson had the tendons cut in his hand and needed surgery.

Alisa Collinsworth says her son called home early Wednesday to talk to his parents.

Chris Collinsworth is a 6-foot-9 forward for the Brigham Young University basketball team who played his freshman season before going on the mission.

Church officials are working with the Australian authorities on the case.

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