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Teaching the Deaf
By Edwin Ross Thurston

IN 1891 Thomas C. Griggs, Henry Barrell, and Loren Pratt (the latter a deaf man who could speak well, and a son of Orson Pratt), began to discuss the necessity of teaching the gospel to the deaf. Brother Griggs was a composer of some of our Sunday School songs, among the most popular of which is, "Gently Raise the Sacred Strain." He had a deaf daughter, now Mrs. Ivy Griggs Low, at present a supervisor of younger boys at the Great Falls, Montana, School for the Deaf, for whom he was concerned. This was one reason that prompted him to try and organize, with the help of others, a Sunday School class for the deaf. Finally, one was started with a few members of the faith attending, until it grew to a good size. When, in 1896, the School for the Deaf and Blind was removed to Ogden from Salt Lake City, this original Sunday School class went with them. At first they held their meetings in the institution chapel, and later, held them in the old Ogden Fourth Ward for a number of years. In 1917 the General Authorities of the Church built a new chapel which became the Ogden Branch for the Deaf, with Max W. Woodbury in charge. He still is president of the branch. Nearly all the deaf children from the School for the Deaf, and also a number of adult deaf people residing in Ogden and surrounding towns, have taken advantage of this opportunity, and many have held responsible office and teaching positions in the branch.

Brother Woodbury is greatly loved by all the deaf people for his unselfish work among them. He has sacrificed his own time to interpret for them not only in the branch but in other gatherings as well, such as special conferences, Utah Association of the Deaf conventions, temple marriages, and to go through the temple with them, etc. He has for many years been principal of the school for the deaf. A number of years ago a new boys' hall was built on the campus and named Woodbury Hall in his honor. In April 1944, he was further signally honored with a program and dance, at which Utah's Secretary of State E. E. Monson, President Samuel G. Dye of Ogden Stake, and many other prominent men spoke. He was also presented with a gift.

BECAUSE the majority of the deaf people resided or were attending school in Ogden at this time, the Salt Lake City group held no more classes. A few, who could afford it, often went to Ogden to attend sacrament and priesthood meetings.

It was not until March of 1920 that a few deaf people, who then resided in Bountiful, Utah, became concerned about the inactivity regarding religion of deaf people in and around Salt Lake City. Through the promptings of the late Mrs. George Wright who had five deaf children, a discussion was started as to the possibility of organizing a Sunday School class for the deaf in Bountiful First Ward. Brother Willard E. Barlow, who incidentally is not deaf, became interested in their welfare. A class was then started with Elder Barlow and his wife, Jessie, in charge. Though not deaf, Sister Barlow was proficient in the dactylology of the deaf.