Content preview - You need a premium account to view this content.
Branch for the Deaf
By Edwin Ross Thurston
WHOEVER it was that said, "Everything comes to him who waits," certainly hit the nail squarely on the head; at least for a certain group of people. The deaf of Salt Lake Valley can breathe with a sigh of relief after twentyeight long years without a permanent "home." Thanks to President George Albert Smith and his counselors; to Dr. John A. Widtsoe, chairman of the foreign language committee of the Church; and to members of Dr. Widtsoe's committee; to Willard E. Barlow; and to others, who have in any way contributed to this effort in securing the new building, the deaf now have their own beautiful, three-unit structure at the corner of Fifth South and Eighth East streets.
Ground was broken on August 20, 1947, by Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson, representing the Presiding Authorities, in the presence of a large and enthusiastic gathering of local deaf people and their friends. During the process of building many of the deaf of the valley donated what labor they could in the clearing of trees and weeds, and also did such things as nailing down the subflooring, taking down the forms after the cement foundations were set, and leveling of the grounds. When the building was nearly completed, they also, with the help of local deaf ladies, cleaned up wherever possible, prepared the grounds for planting of shrubs and lawn seed, which required many hours of toil. Elder and Sister Barlow were always on hand directing the work as well as laboring, thereby sacrificing time that would otherwise have been used at their own home. Among the deaf seen most frequently at the site of the building, donating time and labor, seems to have been sixty-eight-year-old Joseph Cameron. Jr. In the women's group, Sister Kate O. Keeley did more than her share of the work.
Many facilities are found in this three-unit building, among which are the chapel, capable of seating one hundred ten persons; the recreation hall, which with its movable partition, can be used, if necessary for conferences, seating nearly four hundred persons for a single meeting; a Relief Society room, kitchen, three classrooms, and an office, as well as other facilities. Included are fluorescent lighting throughout, a stage in the recreation hall, large blackboards, and signal lights in place of bells to indicate end of class periods.
ON Sunday morning, October 10, 1948, the deaf were delighted by a visit to their services of Dr. John A. Widtsoe, who announced that the chapel was ready for use, and although not yet fully organized, it could be used for Sunday School services the following Sunday, October 17. Imagine the joy which filled everyone.
At left: the new chapel.
Below: members of the foreign language committee who were present at the organizing of the branch presidency, on November 14, 1948.
From left to right: Arnt Engh, Hugo Peterson, Dr. John A. Widtsoe, Thomas Clarke, E. Ross Thurston, Lloyd O. Ivie Holger M. Larsen, Willard E. Barlow, Max W. Woodbury (President of the Ogden Branch for the Deaf), L. Elgin Jacobson, and Frank I. Kooyman.