31K people sign birthday card for LDS president, breaking world record

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Ahead of Latter-day Saint President Russell M. Nelson’s 100th birthday, more than 31,000 people signed a birthday card for him in Salt Lake City on Saturday — breaking a Guinness World Record.

According to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a total of 31,384 people signed a birthday card for Nelson in the Salt Palace Convention Center during a conference for young adults in the church.

A representative for Guinness World Records gave a document to a local church leader to certify that the record for “Most Contributions to a Greeting Card” had been broken, the church said.

“It is awesome that 31,000 people wished President Nelson a happy 100th birthday,” Utah Area President Elder Kevin W. Pearson said at the conference on Saturday.

Other people wished the president of the church a happy birthday online, bringing the total number of people who participated to 86,500, according to the church.

On June 1, 2024 — 100 days before his birthday on Sept. 9, 2024 — Nelson asked members of the church to celebrate his 100th birthday by “reaching out in love and service to someone in need,” the church said.

“One of the places where the Savior used the number 100 in the scriptures was the parable of the lost sheep,” Nelson said on social media on June 1. “Though 99 of his flock were safely by his side, the shepherd went in search of the 1 who was lost.”

Nelson said he has “ no need of physical gifts ,” for his 100th birthday, and used the story of the lost sheep to encourage members of the church to perform acts of service for others to honor his birthday.

Several participants said signing the card helped them feel good since they were helping serve the president of the church and working together with others at the event.

“Feels pretty special,” one participant said.

Another participant said the record “was broken by a lot of people, not just me, so it’s awesome for everyone.”

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