Steve and I decide to attend the 2nd ward to see what it is like compared to the 1st ward. From my perspective there is not much difference except that the 2nd ward has about twice as many people as the 1st ward. When compared with the hearing ward in which we have been attending for the last eight years, there is a world of difference. The most obvious difference is that most everyone is signing to each other rather than talking. It is still just as noisy in the chapel because all kids make noise whether they are deaf or hearing.
We choose a bench in the middle of the chapel, seat ourselves, and wait for Sacrament Meeting to start. A nice couple selects a seat in front of us. They notice that we are new, and the woman asks us in sign if we are deaf. Before I get a chance to answer, Steve answers that I am hearing and he is deaf. They exchange greetings and other information about where we live, etc. Soon a man that Steve knows from working at Deseret Industries Manufacturing comes over to greet him, and then another man that he knows comes over to greet him. They seem more comfortable communicating with him than with me, which is understandable and fine with me. This is one of the most notable differences from the hearing ward where few people communicate directly with him.
The meeting begins. A counselor in the Bishopric is conducting the meeting in Sign Language while a woman in the audience voice interprets. The signers at the podium are projected onto a large screen in front of the chapel. They are also projected onto a television monitor on the front left side of the chapel and a monitor in front of the Bishopric.
Soon they prepare for the first hymn. The words of the hymn are projected onto the screen and the signing chorister stands underneath the screen on a bench so that everyone can see her signs. As the music is played, each word is highlighted while the chorister signs the hymn. I am trying to follow her signs, but it is difficult to watch her and look at the words at the same time. I do my best. I notice that most of the people are signing while few are singing. I can only focus on one thing at a time so I do not sing.
The Sacrament prayers are signed while a man in the audience voice interprets the prayers. The people watch the Priesthood holders sign the prayers. From then on, during the passing of the Sacrament, there is no difference at all from the hearing ward. Communication is with the Spirit during this time; hearing or deaf makes no difference.
After the passing of the Sacrament it is time for bearing of testimonies. As the meeting progresses, Steve asks me if I understand the people. I sign to him that it helps having the voice interpreter. I am trying to follow the signs and learn new signs. There is a slight delay in receiving voice interpretation of the signs, and that sometimes makes it difficult for me to follow.
After Sacrament Meeting is over, Steve and I search for the Gospel Doctrine class. I sign to him; “need ask.” He is wandering down the hall looking lost. As we near the RS room, I sign to a lady standing at the door, “Where Gospel D-O-C-T-R-I-N-E class?” I know I am signing it wrong. She looks at me like I am doing it wrong, but she kindly gestures that it is in the RS room.
Steve and I find chairs and wait for class to start. Soon, he signs to me that he is going somewhere, and takes off leaving me sitting there. The class begins and I immediately notice that there is no interpreter, so I try to follow the signs as best I can. The person conducting the class (not the teacher) asks if there are any visitors, and she looks at me. Unfortunately, I understand her. She asks me to stand in front of the class and introduce myself. I am nervous, but I do it anyway. I sign to her, “Me sign not good.” She laughs and signs that it is ok. I look at everyone and sign, “Me name J-U-L-I-A, last name S-H-U-M-K-O. My husband wander hall.” I point to the back door and shrug my shoulders. “His name S-T-E-V-E.” Everyone laughs. My only thought is to sit down, but the teacher asks me in sign if I am visiting. I answer “Yes”. She asks me where I am from and I answer, “S-T-A-N-S-B-U-R-Y P-A-R-K.” She smiles and signs “welcome”. I sit down. Steve finds his way back to class and I sign to him, “You miss. I introduce you.”
I watch the teacher closely and try to follow her signs. I can see that she is quite skilled and fast, but I do understand more than I thought I would. For the last ten months, I have been trying to study the Book of Mormon in ASL and I guess it is paying off, even though I am still on 1st Nephi. She uses Power Point and shows us a Book of Mormon video with subtitles. This, along with having some knowledge about the subject matter that she is teaching, assists me in understanding her lesson.
Another notable difference from the hearing ward is when someone makes a comment in class; the teacher repeats in sign what the person has signed. This is so that everyone will know what the person’s comment is without making everyone turn around and look or making the person stand up in front of the class. In the hearing ward, people make comments and the teachers don’t think about writing it or interpreting it for Steve.
Steve tells me he enjoyed the Deaf 2nd ward. I am happy for that because I enjoyed it very much. I want to visit again.
Filed under: Deaf in a Hearing Church
