Steve and I were not planning on doing anything today, but the weather was so beautiful (53 degrees, sunny, and clear skies) that we decided to go out for lunch and then to Temple Square and see if we could sneak into the new movie Joseph Smith The Prophet of the Restoration. This film had “sold out” (it’s free) of tickets several weeks ago, but Steve thought we could still get into the ASL section. I had doubts and called the ticket office. The person who answered the phone said there were no tickets available for any showing, and he didn’t think we could get in at all. But Steve said, “I know we can get in.”
Temple Square always has several sister missionaries who know ASL. When we got there, they paged a couple of them for us. When we told them we were hoping to see the film, they had doubts also, and the man at the reception desk in the visitor’s center said every seat in the theater was taken. But this did not stop one sister missionary. She said, “I do not like to say no. I like to say I will try.” The receptionist said he knew she could do anything.
The film had already started. She told us to wait, went into the theater and asked some people to move over, came out and let us in. I do believe we had the only two open seats in the theater and they happened to be directly in front of the ASL screen. I had to scoot down in my seat so people in back of me could see it. In spite of having the screen about one foot (not an exaggeration) away from my face, I enjoyed the movie very much. It brought me to tears in the end because I know that Joseph Smith is the man, the Lord’s prophet, who restored the true Church of Jesus Christ.
After the movie we met a deaf couple from San Diego. The husband is a branch president in his area. Steve had a great time chatting with them and I actually understood much of what they were saying. My signing skills must be getting better.
After that, Steve and I walked around Temple Square and admired the pretty lights and peaceful atmosphere. It was a nice way to spend Christmas Eve.
Filed under: Deaf in a Hearing Church, Deaf/Hearing Relationship
