Mexico: Holy Bible transcribed in record time at Adventist University
Alejandro Zepeda, Notary Public No. 68 of Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico displays the total time of 59:52 minutes it took for the Bible to be transcribed by hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist leaders, students and faculty at Montemorelos University, in Mexico, on Nov. 24, 2012. The historic event is expected to be registered in the Guinness Book of Records and was one of many commemorative activities in celebration of the institution’s 70th year of existence. Image by Daniel Gallardo
December 4, 2012 – Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico…Benjamin Garcia/IAD Staff
More than 2,150 participated in transcribing segments of the Bible during the historic event at Montemorelos University’s gymnasium, on Nov. 24, 2012. Image by Alonso Reyes.
The timer stopped at 59 minutes, 52 seconds, and a fraction of a second. It was a time record that bolted more than 2,150 out of their seats with a loud scream after transcribing the entire Bible. The special activity took place at Montemorelos University—a Seventh-day Adventist operated institution in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on Nov. 24, 2012.
The historic event was part of the institution’s 70th anniversary of offering Adventist Christian education.
Dressed in commemorative T-shirts with the number 70 printed on it, students, faculty, alumni and other community members and visitors each copied 20 to 25 verses at the gymnasium, an event which is expected to be officially recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, organizers said.
Two participants copy verses of the Bible during the history event. Image by Alonso Reyes.
“The objective of the event was to emphasize the value of the Bible as a foundation of the Adventist educational system,” said Pastor Juan Jose Andrade, director of Mexico’s White Research Center and organizer of the event.
Alejandro Zepeda, a notary public, verified the time and performed the legal documentation to register the record-breaking time.
Montemorelos Mayor Gerardo Alanis and his wife Minerva were present during the historic event. “I feel God is here,” said Mayor Alanis.
Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, congratulated the university via telephone for the Bible-focused initiative on campus.
Seventh-day Adventist ministers from throughout Mexico also participated in transcribing the Bible.
It was a comprehensive initiative suggested by a student and grew to involve more than 20 coordinators for three months and some 85 assistants to guide the transcribers, organizers said.
Ismael Castillo (center), president of Montemorelos University transcribes a portion of the Bible alongside church and community leaders on stage. Image by Alonso Reyes.
Stacy Olmedo, a 20-year-old communication student, transcribed Genesis chapters 23 and the first four verses of chapter 24. She was blessed to be part of the activity. “I was so excited to be part of this,” she said. “It took a lot of concentration and I liked it very much even though I only had some 24 verses to write.”
“Personally speaking, it helped my spiritual life and made me more aware of the significance of God’s Word,” said Jency Cordova, a medical student.
“It was a great privilege,” said Jaime Blanco, school services director. “All of us who participated were able to enjoy reviewing a portion of the Word of God.”
Jorge Manrique, director of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, his wife and two sons were delighted to be together to copy verses.
“As a family, it was a gratifying experience which reaffirmed our commitment in communion with God and reading of the Bible,” said Manrique. “We felt so excited to be part of this project and were able to identify with the ancient transcribers,” he added, “That encourages us and reaffirms us that the Bible is the only true source, the Word of God. ”
Students carry the bound transcribed Bible as part of the vespers program Nov. 24, 2012. Image by Jovany Trujillo
Once the transcriptions were complete and timer was stopped, all transcribed pages were compiled and bonded in the library and taken to the University church for a two-hour program to close the Sabbath. The transcription, called the 70th Anniversary Bible, will be exhibited in the Ellen G. White Research Center on campus.
“What’s important about this activity is not the fact that we transcribed the Bible,” said Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University, “but the precious moments we had together with our Sovereign God.”
“Our greatest desire is for the Word of God to become the foundation of our daily devotional life,” Castillo added.
To view photos of the initiative, click here