Fireside: Deaf and the Gospel: Outline

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Firesides are available for your Stake or Ward:

Outline:
 

Welcome / Local Priesthood Authority:  Set the tone, express excitement. Indicate that the missionaries will be conducting the fireside and express gratitude to have the missionaries here and representatives from the  Deaf Branch.

Introduction / Missionary: Express gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity to be here to share new world with audience. Indicate missionaries will give opening song in ASL while audience sings it normally.   Explain that audience can try to sign along with missionaries if would like.  Explain that everyone can and "should" keep eyes open during signed prayers.  Indicate that a brother or sister from the Deaf Branch will be giving the opening prayer and that you will interpret/explain the prayer AFTER it is over.

Opening Song:  Missionaries
Opening Prayer:  Member from Deaf Branch.  This prayer is done silently and the audience simply watches.  THEN when it is over the missionaries thank the person and review the MAIN points of the prayer.

Agenda and introductions / Missionaries: Discuss the goals of the evening, introduce the Deaf Branch representative.

Topics:
*  What it is like to serve an American Sign Language Mission:  the calling, the MTC, learning the language, aspects of culture shock, any funny stories along the way
*  Present and discuss resources for learning ASL such as library collections, websites, the Deaf Branch, and deaf events.  Vocabulary: ABCs Numbers 1-10, answer questions
*  Place to learn your letters:  http://asl.gs
*  Place to practice your receptive fingerspelling:  http://asl.ms
*  LDS ASL related site:  http://lds.org/asl

• Monthly Messages
• General Conference Talks in ASL
• Music
• Broadcasts

*  Deaf Branch Meeting information:  http://sacdeafbranch.com

*  Sacramento Area ASL Events page:  http://aslevents.tripod.com/
*  Sacramento area library with a large Deaf Studies collection:   Arden-Dimick Library, 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95864 http://www.saclibrary.org/about_lib/brn_ard.html
* How a Deaf Branch functions
* Courtesy signs
* How a Deaf Baptism works
* How the blessing of the Sacrament is different in the Deaf Branch
* DVD version of selected hymns
* DVD version of the Book of Mormon
* What to do if you meet someone who is deaf
* Teach one verse of I am a child of God.

* Closing remarks of appreciation from local leader.
*  Audience sings/signs one verse "I am a child of God."
* Closing Prayer in Sign Language by either a missionary or a member of the Branch