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SALT LAKE CITY — A new YouTube video captures the laughter, excitement and tears of more than 80 Olympus High School students as they open their mission calls for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The video, posted Jan. 29 by Olympus grad Danielle Chard, opens with a clip of LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson announcing the lowering of the missionary age requirements during the church's general conference last October. Since that time, the number of applicants for LDS missionary service doubled.
More than 80 of those missionaries are from the Olympus High class of 2012 and are featured in this montage video. Surrounded by anxious family and friends, they are shown reading aloud from their official missionary paperwork the location in which they are called to serve.
Their reactions range from shedding joyful tears to leaping in excitement, as loved ones can be heard screaming and cheering. The 14-minute video also shows photos of missionaries and mission locations as well as those preparing to serve.
As of Friday afternoon, the video had received more than 64,000 hits and stirred up conversation. While naysayers have weighed in on the video's comments, most viewers have responded positively. One comment by YouTube user 87TheBends captures the effect the video is having on viewers:
"I am not even a Mormon, but a stalwart atheist, yet I was extremely affected by this video. It truly shows your church's wonderful thankfulness and kindness, and I was moved to tears by the ardent passion you have for your beliefs and church. Bravo!"
