Record-Breaking Birthday Card
Saturday afternoon, Aug. 3, thousands of young adults beat the record “Most Contributions to a Greeting Card” from Guinness World Records. Throughout Friday and Saturday, young adults lined up to sign the massive card with their name and a short birthday message.
The card celebrates Church President Russell M. Nelson’s upcoming 100th birthday on Sept. 9. Participants amassed a total of 31,384 birthday wishes to celebrate the Prophet and pioneer heart surgeon. By 8 p.m. on Saturday, another 83,000 people had sent birthday wishes through a virtual form.
Among the myriad messages included:
- “Thank you for sharing your testimony. It’s changed my life.”
- “I hope this card shows as much love as you show us.”
- “Thank you for making me want to love God more.”
- “You’re loved more than words can express.”
- “Here’s to a century of inspired living.”
- “Our family loves and prays for you.”
- “I want to be a doctor just like you.”
- “We love you and your example.”
- “You radiate love.”
…
Record-Breaking Speed Dating Event
The YSA conference also broke the Guinness World Record for “Largest Speed Dating Event,” with 2,060 participants.
This event broke the record by more than double the previous record, 964 participants, which was set in Dublin, Ireland, on Feb. 14, 2019.
Michael Empric, an official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, declared the previous record broken shortly before the final keynote speaker on Saturday afternoon.
In order to qualify for the speed dating event, participants were required to speed date with at least 20 individuals for three minutes. Conference volunteers acted as proctors to ensure that participants were fully engaged with the event.
Caroline Howell, a volunteer from Sandy, Utah, said that she wanted to be a part of breaking the world record. She signed up after receiving an email from her stake requesting volunteers. She said that the speed dating activity was a good way to get people out of their comfort zones.
“I think for a lot of people, they might feel lonely in their beliefs,” Howell said, “so this has been a good opportunity for people to connect with others and know they are not alone in their beliefs.” …
You can read more about each of these events and more details about the YSA conference on Church News.
Find more ways to celebrate President Nelson’s birthday in the articles below:
► Pres. Nelson’s #99plus1 invitation: Ideas for reaching out to ‘the one’ this summer
► The one gift President Nelson wants leading up to his 100th birthday
► We love these smiling photos of President Nelson at general conference