August 2006 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Deaf Church members
can participate in
singing hymns and in
class instruction through
sign language.
Below: The Huddersfield
England Stake hosted a
deaf conference in May
for members throughout
the UK and Ireland,
featuring a fireside,
workshops, and games.
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PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES O’DONNELL
President Bart Worthington
stresses the importance of sign
language missionaries. “Often,
deaf members need an intermediary,
an interpreter to teach them
gospel truths in their very own
language. Many of our members
believe the gospel because those
who have access to the written
words believe and are able to
convey that knowledge in sign
language that is intelligible, clear,
and at their level.”
In 1998, when full-time missionaries
Taylor Hartley and Lee
Sang Guk discovered that the deaf
in Seoul, South Korea, did not
know the signs for gospel terms,
they made a teaching videotape.
Elder Lee signed the discussions
while Elder Hartley read them in
Korean. The tape became a successful
missionary tool and was
used in both Seoul missions.
Listening to the Spirit
To all of God’s children, God
proffers this great blessing:
“Incline your ear, and come unto
me: hear, and your soul shall live”
(Isaiah 55:3). The deaf may not be able to
hear with their physical ears, but the Spirit
can convey what words alone cannot.
Maria Salve Duplito declares: “I firmly
believe that no barrier—even loss of hearing—is
too strong for the Spirit to overcome.
After all, the Holy Ghost does not
work through words but through feelings.
True communication has to do with heartfelt
feelings.” Richard Snow agrees. As a child,
he could not hear speakers at Church meetings,
but, he says, “I thought about Jesus,
and the Spirit taught me things I couldn’t
hear. I got my testimony that way.”
Many deaf members treasure the following
INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE DEAF
• Remember that
some deaf people can
hear a few sounds with
hearing aids. Although
most can read lips, only
25 percent of spoken language
can be accurately
discerned through lip
reading. To facilitate lip
reading, face the person
directly and pronounce
your words distinctly but without overenunciating. If the person
misunderstands, rephrase your statement. For example, if they
don’t understand “How are you today?” ask, “Are you having a
good day?”
• You can help deaf people feel welcome at church by
making a sincere effort to be friendly. Give a welcoming wave,
smile, or where appropriate, a hug. Help them feel that they
belong by showing interest in their lives and taking time to talk
with them and listen to them.
• Make an effort to communicate. Use simple gestures.
Carry a pencil and paper to write notes or draw pictures. Be
patient; do not give up trying to communicate because it takes
too much time. Remember, they are needing to show patience
with you as well. If talking through an interpreter, look at and
address the deaf person directly. Do not speak to the interpreter,
saying, “Tell her . . . ”
• Consider learning sign language. It is best to learn from
another person, but if that is not possible, use videos. As a last
resort, try books.
scripture: “And in that day shall the deaf hear
the words of the book, and the eyes of the
blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of
darkness” (Isaiah 29:18). Although their
world is silent, deaf members work hard
every day to be able to hear the things that
matter most. ■
Deaf members who know American Sign Language
(ASL) can access the Web site ASL.LDS.org for
translations of First Presidency and Visiting
Teaching Messages, general conference addresses,
and other selected broadcasts. Church materials
such as the Book of Mormon stories on DVD (item
no. 54100010, U.S. $4.50) can be obtained in ASL
at www.ldscatalog.com.
NOTE
1. “Unity in Diversity,” Ensign, Mar. 1991, 9.