Thousands of young LDS singles gather for speed dating, music, messages and to sign a special birthday card

The girl in a red T-shirt and wide-legged overalls sat down on the end of the long table across from an unfamiliar boy in a baseball cap and blue hoodie.

Her smile was gentle but genuine. His grin revealed dimples and braces. They both laughed easily.

Their three-minute chatter was animated as he gestured with his hands and she leaned forward to whisper something.

Then it was over. Twenty-year-old Andrew Womack of Idaho stood up and exchanged numbers with 18-year-old Brinley Meadows of St. George. They high-fived after which he moved up and around from the table’s last to first seat and she greeted another would-be date across the table.

With a signal of musical notes, they were off again.

This was speed dating, Latter-day-Saint-style, a big attraction at a young single adult gathering this past weekend in downtown Salt Lake City’s Salt Palace Convention Center.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Participants gather at the Salt Palace for the 2024 Utah YSA Conference on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (Rick Egan/)

Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the three-day event reportedly drew more than 30,000 singles between ages 18 and 35. Under the theme “Together in Christ,” it featured breakout sessions with popular speakers; fun competitions like tricycle racing; karaoke; Latin, country and pop dancing; singers Ben Rector, Rachel Platten and Emma Nissen; and a chance to sign a 100th birthday card for church President Russell M. Nelson, who was born Sept. 9, 1924.

But the male-female setup proved especially popular — so much so that it shattered a Guinness World Record for “largest speed-dating event” with 2,060 participants. The previous record: 964.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Speed dating at the Utah YSA Conference at the Salt Palace on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (Rick Egan/)

At last year’s YSA conference, participants rated speed dating as in their “top three activities,” said Carly Clark, one of last year’s organizers and a paid producer this year.

Did it work for her?

No, the 22-year-old chuckled, “but I’m only 22.”

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Carly Clark helps out at the Salt Palace for the 2024 Utah YSA Conference on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (Rick Egan/)

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Thousands of young LDS singles gather for speed dating, music, messages and to sign a special birthday card

Thousands of young LDS singles gather for speed dating, music, messages and to sign a special birthday card

Thousands of young LDS singles gather for speed dating, music, messages and to sign a special birthday card

Thousands of young LDS singles gather for speed dating, music, messages and to sign a special birthday card

Thousands of young LDS singles gather for speed dating, music, messages and to sign a special birthday card