Stake Conference

Steve and I arrive at the Stake Center and make our way to the front. As promised the first bench on the side is taped off for us and a chair is leaning against the side for our interpreter, our dear friend Sister Marshall. I am a little concerned about her interpreting for two hours straight and pray that she will be ok.

Rachel arrives and with Steve’s help places the chair about six feet away and facing him. Nancy, my new ally in our quest for learning Sign Language, and her husband sit next to me. The chapel is filled to capacity, along with the cultural hall, and the stage in the far back. I notice that Rachel seems nervous and she bows her head in prayer. The meeting begins, and I watch Rachel with the goal of learning a few more signs from her.

I am happy to have Nancy sitting next to me. It gives me a chance to tell her about some observations that she would understand. The first is when the names are read for sustaining. Most hearing people are not aware enough to slow down for the interpreter. We notice that Rachel only signs the last names, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. It’s far more than what Steve gets when I try to do it.

The first speaker talks kind of fast and Rachel is a little stressed from trying to sign Pidgin, so she switches to ASL. Later Steve tells me he understood her even after she switched to ASL. She seems more relaxed.

I whisper to Nancy about a second observation when one of the speakers reads her talk. One of the things that stressed me when I tried to interpret for Steve was when I could hear the speaker reading his message. I would think, “If only I had a copy of this talk. I could just point to the words.” It’s always helpful to have a copy of a written talk (or any other written information) because some deaf people like Steve can easily read the talk rather than watching an interpreter. It would probably be helpful to have a copy of a written talk in advance of the meeting so the interpreter can study it.

After about an hour, we sing an intermediate hymn. We all stand and Rachel joins us so she can rest. I point to the words for Steve in time with the music. After the singing Steve moves her chair back so she is about ten feet away from him. She seems relaxed and ready to go for another hour. (What a woman!) I notice that there is less eye strain when the interpreter is further away. In the deaf ward, the interpreter stands next to the speaker (well, not right next to him). I do not know if Steve would prefer that or not.

The next speaker is the 1st counselor in the Stake Presidency. I whisper to Nancy that he is one of my favorite people to interpret because he talks slower and his message is usually easier to interpret. We need more people like that in the Church.

The last speaker is our Stake President. He mentions the “Six Month Challenge” that was handed out at the door when we arrived. The challenge includes: Participate in a Stake wide fast for missionary work, read one chapter of the Book of Mormon daily, 100% home teaching, become friends with and fellowship a family in the community, honor our covenants, and observe the basic fundamentals of the Gospel. I point to “Read one chapter of the Book of Mormon daily” and whisper to Nancy, “Watch one chapter in ASL daily.” Actually I think a more realistic goal for me is to watch one verse daily.

We are ready to sing the closing hymn, Lord, I Would Follow Thee. Rachel squeezes between me and Nancy and rests her head on my shoulder for a second. The poor girl is tired. We let her rest and Steve and I try to sign the hymn. I use to know this hymn in ASL. It doesn’t take long to forget it.

When the meeting is done, my first thought and instinct is to give Rachel a big hug. She says “Heavenly Father answers prayers.” He certainly does.

Steve notices a lady in the audience who starts signing to him. I notice that I do not understand her. He learns that this woman lived in Virginia for 15 years, so she knows the regional signs that he knows from living in New Jersey. She has forgotten most of the Church signs, but she is willing to interpret for him in Sacrament Meeting if she can. Yes, Heavenly Father does answer prayers.

I see my visiting teacher and we chat for a bit. She tells me the Stake Presidency is aware of our need and has been trying to find interpreters for Steve. They are expensive but they will include that in their next budget meeting. I am grateful and realize that I need to have more faith and trust in our Church leaders. We are all learning and the Lord is over all.