Issue #2, June 2006
· : News & Info : ·
International Deaf Groups and Members
By Deaflds.org Staff / June 18, 2006
As the Deaf units throughout the Church continue to grow and be established in new cities across the United States, the Church is also beginning to touch Deaf members across the world, particularly in Latin America, western Europe and Asia. Historically, branches and missionaries have served Deaf members in Canada, the UK (England, Scotland, Ireland), Italy, Korea, Australia, and Russia.
Mexico City now has a large group of Deaf members (50+) although no full-time missionaries have been called there yet; before the unrest in Venezuela this past year, English-speaking missionaries were learning LSV (Venezuelan Sign Language) and creating a rough LSV LDS sign dictionary.
We also began hearing from Deaf members and interpreters in New Zealand early this year; The New Zealand parliament passed a bill declaring NZSL the official language of Deaf people in that country. We look forward to hearing from more Deaf Kiwis.
We'll be adding a new section to the Directory soon: International Groups and Members; check it out. But we'd like to find out more information about these groups. If you have information, please contact 
info@deaflds.org.
· : LDS Deaf Events : ·
Wasatch Front Deaf Units Meet for Regional Deaf Conference
By Deaflds.org Staff / June 18, 2006
Deaf units from across Utah met in the concluding session of the Family History Workshop for the Deaf on June 25, 2006. Members from the Cache Valley Branch, Ogden Valley Branch, Salt Lake Valley 1st and 2nd Wards, Utah Valley Ward, and Snow Canyon 10th Branch (St. George) were invited to meet in the Little Theater at the Church's Conference Center for talks from local Deaf members and Church general authorities.
Northwest Deaf Celebrates 25 Years in Portland
By Deaflds.org Staff / June 18, 2006
The Portland Heights Deaf Branch announces "Celebrating the Northwest: 25 Years of Faith," an area conference for the Deaf to be held in Portland, July 26-29, 2006. Former Oregon Deaf program missionaries (those who served in Portland or Salem) are welcome to attend a missionary reunion. The Conference will have two days of workshops and Sunday services to be held at the Portland Deaf Branch. For more information about the reunion or to register, go to www.ldsdeafnwconf.org.
For more information, contact info@deaflds.org.
· : News & Info : ·
Missionaries Now Serving in 15 Missions
By Deaflds.org Staff / June 18, 2006
Missionaries to the Deaf are currently serving in Seattle, WA; Portland, OR, San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix and Tucson, AZ; Houston, TX; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Washington, DC; New York North and South and Rochester, NY; Independence, MO, and Temple Square.
Have Deaf Program missionary news to share? We'd love to hear about it. Please send the information to info@deaflds.org.
Where is Everybody?
By Deaflds.org Staff / June 18, 2006
Ever since the early days of the organization of groups, branches, and wards for the Deaf throughout the Church, it has been difficult to find and keep in contact with all of them. Branches and groups are established, and then as quickly, they go away again. Our experience with the 2004 Deaf Symposium reminded us of this problem: 1) obviously, not all Deaf Latter-day Saints live in Utah (several from the Eastern US wished they knew more about about the Symposium) and 2) if they're not in Utah, then where are they?
We need your help: let us know where you are. We want to build a Deaf Unit Directory that makes it easier to contact you and inform you of conferences, workshops, temple accessibility, and prepare for the next Deaf Symposium in 2007.
If you have additional information about Deaf wards, branches, or groups, please contact us at info@deaflds.org.
· : Materials & Resources : ·
Book of Mormon ASL Translation Available on DVD
By Deaflds.org Staff / June 18, 2006
The DVD edition of the Book of Mormon in American Sign Language (ASL) with closed captioning is now available. There is no audio track. It is a set of 17 DVDs and is now at the Salt Lake Distribution Services either on line or by mail.
On the internet go to www.ldscatalog.org then on the left of the screen enter the product number 54024 and click Go this will go directly to the order screen for the DVD Book of Mormon, ASL. 54024010 Book of Mormon, American Sign Language Edition $2.50
Update: The ASL Book of Mormon Translation is currently on backorder from the Church Distribution Center. The most effective way to purchase the DVD set is online at ldscatalog.org. Be aware that your order may take up to one month to arrive.
Talks, Visiting Teaching Messages, and General Conference Archives Available in ASL
By Deaflds.org Staff / June 18, 2006
Now available at asl.lds.org you can find monthly home teaching and visiting teaching messages in ASL. If you have a dial-up or slow internet connection, we recommend using the 56K file. We hope this newest improvement will help you as you teach these inspiring messages as you do your Home and visiting Teaching.
Please visit this site and give your comments on the ASL Usage Survey at the top right of the screen. The more that Deaf members use this site, the more ASL material will be approved to be placed on the site to bless the lives of those who will use it.