The earliest known records of Deaf members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California appear in Liahona, The Elders’ Journal, Vol. 14, from 1916-1917. These records document an event held on Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, 1917, during the annual San Francisco Conference at the Odd Fellows' Hall in Oakland, a venue owned by the Freemasons. The conference was hosted by the Oakland Branch, which at the time covered San Francisco and the East Bay area, including the cities of Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, and Richmond, as well as the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley.

During the conference, Brother Briggs, who was Deaf, interpreted a musical number in “deaf-mute language” (sign language) for the congregation. His participation indicates the presence of a group of Deaf members at the event, marking this as the earliest known recorded instance of Deaf members gathering within the Church in California. The details surrounding this gathering suggest a small community of Deaf members active in the area, though additional information about this group is not yet available. Further research is needed to uncover more about the Deaf members present at the conference and their experiences within the Church.

Additional records of Deaf members in California appear later, in the 1940s, primarily in Southern California. Deaf individuals from Utah moved to the Los Angeles area during this period, drawn by job opportunities and contributing to a growing community of Deaf members in the Church.

There is strong evidence suggesting that the Brother Briggs referenced in this account could be Rufus E. Briggs, a graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf in 1907 who relocated to San Francisco in 1909. However, further research is required to confirm this connection. This early account highlights the initial presence and contributions of Deaf members in California, setting the foundation for later growth and development of the Deaf Latter-day Saint community.

On 13 January 1952, Joseph F. Evans, a longtime leader of the Deaf Sunday School “Silent Class,” was called as the first Branch President of the newly formed Southern California Branch for the Deaf (Southern California Branch for the Deaf manuscript history and historical reports, 1952-1983). Serving alongside him were Joe F. Brandenburg as First Counselor, Walter Huggins as Second Counselor, and Carl Torell as Branch Clerk. Although President Evans was hearing, he led the branch with an eye toward empowering Deaf members in leadership roles. He “had in mind the idea of eventually turning over direction of its affairs to the deaf,” a vision that was realized on 31 July 1955, when the branch was reorganized under Deaf leadership (Utah Association of the Deaf Bulletin, Spring 1963, p. 4).

Joseph “Joe” F. Brandenburg became the first Deaf Branch President in Church history on 31 July 1955, presiding over the Southern California Branch for the Deaf. Serving as his counselors were E. Ross Thurston as First Counselor and Carl Torell as Second Counselor, with Paul J. Smith as Branch Clerk (Southern California Branch for the Deaf manuscript history and historical reports, 1952-1983). President Brandenburg led the branch for nearly 17 years, from 31 July 1955, to June 1972. Under his leadership, the branch grew significantly, and in 1972, it was organized into a ward—the Los Angeles Ward for the Deaf.

Elder George Q. Morris of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles with the first Deaf Branch Presidency of the Southern California Branch for the Deaf, 1955 with President Joseph "Joe" F. Brandenburg, E. Ross Thurston, first counselor, and Carl Torrell, second counselor. (Orton, 1989, p. 167)

At the Adams Ward Chapel, the Southern California Branch for the Deaf held meetings in a small chapel at the back of the building, which had been converted from a kitchen. These meetings took place at the same time with the hearing Adams Ward’s meeting times, allowing the branch's hearing children and youth to attend Primary and youth programs with their hearing peers. The Adams Ward Chapel was conveniently located near major highways in the heart of Los Angeles, providing easier access for Deaf members. However, the Church received “lucrative offers for the Adams Ward property,” leading to its sale and demolition in January 1959 (Orton, 1989, pp. 226-227). Afterward, the Deaf branch moved to the Wilshire Ward Chapel, with funds from the Adams Ward sale going toward building an addition onto the Wilshire Ward chapel specifically for the Deaf branch. This addition became known as the “Wilshire Ward annex” or simply the Wilshire Annex.

The Wilshire Annex project faced numerous delays, including building permit challenges from the city, architectural approvals from Church headquarter, and securing adequate funding. Construction finally began with an informal groundbreaking ceremony on April 3, 1961. Funding for the project came partly from the sale of the Adams Chapel, donations from branch members, and a benefit concert by the Mormon Choir of Southern California held at Beverly Hills High School in April 1962. Although funding was tight, the project was fully financed a few months before completion. The construction of the Wilshire Annex cost the Church $100,000, which equates to over a million dollars in today’s value. The Wilshire Annex featured “a small chapel, a bishop’s office, a Relief Society room, and classrooms,” all constructed and dedicated “as a home for the Southern California Branch for the Deaf” (Orton, 1989, pp. 167, 236-237).

Informal groundbreaking ceremony of the Wilshire Chapel Annex construction on 3 April 1961 with President Brandenburg holding the shovel. (Orton, 1989, p. 167)

Wilshire Chapel before the Annex

(Image Source: Church History Library, a painting of the building from the 1930s, by D. Jolley)

On June 24, 1962, during the Los Angeles Stake Conference, the Wilshire Annex was dedicated by Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. A new Stake President, President Van Alstyne, was sustained at the same conference. The Southern California Branch for the Deaf, then numbering 75 members, was joined by 94 stake officers and visitors for the dedication ceremony, with Elder Petersen presiding (Church History Library, Call #M255.84_S7268L).

The dedication of the chapel represented a significant milestone for Deaf members in Southern California. According to the Utah Association of the Deaf Bulletin, “The dedication of their own chapel marked the culmination of a dream for the deaf Mormons in southern California and the start of fresh resolve to justify Elder Evans’ faith in their ability to manage their own affairs and carry the Gospel to others” (Utah Association of the Deaf Bulletin, Spring 1963, p. 4).

According to Sister Dulane Heeren’s personal account, she and Sister Carol Weenig became the first Deaf sister missionaries called to serve in the church, assigned to the California Mission. Sister Carol Weenig, already in the mission field for three weeks before Sister Heeren, was the first Deaf sister missionary called to serve a mission in the church. 

Dulane’s journey started with her arrival in Salt Lake City on June 26, 1971, where she entered the Mission Home at 119 North Main Street, near the Church Office Building. There, she joined other missionaries, including Elder Daniel Shoemaker, for a five-day orientation before traveling to California.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Sister Heeren entered the Mission Home at 1591 East Temple Way, behind the LA Temple, and was greeted by Mission President John K. Edmunds. At that time, the California mission field was divided into three mission areas: California, California East, and California South.

Sister Heeren’s first companion was Sister Carol Weenig from Utah who are already in the mission for 3 weeks. After spending about three weeks at the Mission Home in Los Angeles, they moved to an apartment in Rosemead to begin their missionary work. Together, they set out on their historic mission as the first Deaf sister missionaries in the church.

In September 1971, they were reassigned to the California South Mission and transferred to San Diego, where they served under Mission Presidents Marion Coleman and LeRoy Layton from the California South Mission, headquartered at 710 North Euclid, Suite 110, Anaheim, California. They spent the next ten months dedicated to serving the Deaf community in San Diego.

In late May 1972, Sister Heeren was transferred to Orange County, where she met her new companion, Sister Susan Watkins from Logan, Utah. The two served in Garden Grove throughout the summer, while Sister Weenig remained in San Diego with her new companion, Sister Beverly Rice. By September, Sister Heeren returned to San Diego to join Sister Beverly Rice, and Sister Weenig moved to Garden Grove to serve with Sister Watkins.

Their missions came to an end on December 5, 1972, when Sister Dulane Heeren, Sister Carol Weenig, and Elder David Woodhouse were released and returned home. After completing their missions, Dulane and Elder David Woodhouse reunited and later married in the Los Angeles Temple.

From March 25 to 30, 1974, the California South Mission host the Deaf Week event at the small Institute of Religion, home to the Fullerton Deaf Branch. The event flyer prominently featured a drawing of Sister Low, who would soon become one of the first Deaf sisters called from the Fullerton Deaf Branch to serve in the Deaf Mission.

Around a year after Deaf Week, both Sister Low and Sister Fogarty from the Fullerton Deaf Branch received full-time mission calls, marking a historic milestone for the branch. Serving together from January 1975 to June 1976 in the California South Mission, they were assigned to the San Diego Deaf Branch. Their service as the first Deaf sister missionaries from Fullerton Deaf Branch, inspiring future sister missionaries to serve.

In March 1979, a pioneering “language-missionary training” pilot program for American Sign Language (ASL) missionaries was conducted at the Institute of Religion adjacent to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in Northridge, California. The program lasted two months and served as a forerunner to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) curriculum for ASL missionaries. At one point, 23 missionaries were enrolled in the training.

Leaders of the program, as seen in a photo from that time, include (back row, left to right): Sam Judd, Jack Rose, President Hyrum W. Smith (California Ventura Mission), Susan "Sue Diamond" Bucher, and Elder Wayne Bennett. Seated (left to right): Elder Matt Jamison and Elder Sessions.

The result of two-month "language-missionary training" program for ASL missionaries program was continuing increasing in members joining Deaf branches and wards. This growth prompted local Deaf church leaders to create "an extensive proposal" to the church headquarter to create "a formal language-training program for the Deaf in the Missionary Training Center (MTC) at Provo, Utah." This proposal was approved by mission department at church headquarter in Salt Lake City. The ASL "language-missionary" training program demonstrated at CSUN were implemented and become part of MTC programs in Provo, Utah to provide training to missionaries called to serve a mission in American Sign Language.

Meanwhile, each ward and branch for the Deaf have called members to become a missionaries to assist missionaries assigned to serve them. Los Angeles Ward for the Deaf had the stake called a group of Deaf members to be part of Stake Missionaries to help with the missionary work in the area. 

In A Beacon on a Hill: The Los Angeles Temple, Richard O. Cowan highlights how Deaf members participated in the temple's open house, leading to further research and discoveries about language access needs for Deaf members in the Church. The Los Angeles Temple's journey began in 1937 when Church President Heber J. Grant selected a site for the temple, but construction was delayed due to the Great Depression and World War II. It wasn't until 1949 that Church leaders agreed to move forward with the project, and in 1951, President David O. McKay presided over the groundbreaking ceremony. The temple's open house from Dec 1955- Jan 1956 drew 662,401 visitors, a record for its time.

During the open house on January 19-22 in 1956 that a chartered bus with Brother Wayne Stewart came to Los Angeles with 39 Deaf Latter-day Saints from Ogden and Salt Lake Valley Branches in Utah. They met with about 100 members of the Los Angeles Branch for the Deaf led by President Joe Brandenburg for a visit to the temple. (39 Deaf Members Make Visit to L.A. Temple. Church News. 1956 February 4, p.7) The opening of the Los Angeles temple revealed some language access challenges for Deaf members, especially regarding the inconsistent use of church signs and performing sacred ordinances in ASL. It took more than 20 years of effort to address these issues, involving Deaf members, interpreters, and church leaders from local to the Presiding Bishopric and others in the Church Headquarters.

Soon after the first Deaf missionaries were called to Los Angeles in 1968, an important discussion about language access in temple, priesthood ordinances, and the consistency of church signs took place in Northern California, at the Oakland-Berkeley Interstate Conference, in March 1971. Mr. Richard Cartwright, a New York convert and a son of Deaf parents, shared a rough draft for a "Churchwide Dictionary of Sign Language" with Deaf attendees from California, Oregon, and Nevada, seeking their feedback. He also presented the first two subtitled films, "Man's Search for Happiness" and "The Great Witnesses of the Book of Mormon," and discussed using visual aids and starting a "teacher development program" for Deaf members. The conference revealed significant issues, particularly the confusion caused by different Gospel signs used by Deaf members from San Francisco and Los Angeles, that "can be much confusion because of the lack of standardized signs." The attendees agreed to work on standardizing Gospel signs for Deaf members, as Mr. Cartwright expressed concern that, "lack of proper communication can lead to inactivity in the church." (Deseret News 1971 April 17 Page 34, Oakland, California)

Richard O. Cowan's book, A Beacon on a Hill: The Los Angeles Temple briefly explained that a year later, in 1972, a 12-day seminar was organized by Elder Stewart Durrant, the Church’s Social Service Department Coordinator, at California State College in Northridge (CSUN). This seminar brought together Deaf Latter-day Saints and interpreters to collaborate on developing and standardizing signs for specific Church terms in ASL. The seminar sessions were held in the evenings following daytime workshops, fostering a productive environment for learning and collaboration. Participants included two bishops from Deaf wards, leaders from Deaf organizations such as Relief Society, Elder Quorum, and Primary, as well as dedicated church members. The LDS Institute of Religion graciously hosted the seminar. These people also gather feedback for temple signs from the Los Angeles Temple. Additionally, they produced a film demonstrating how priesthood ordinances could be performed in ASL, "without spoken words." (Needs Identified At Seminar for LDS Deaf, Deseret News 1972 Aug 19 Page 39, San Fernando, California.) They also work on dictionary of signs, improve interpreters skills through workshops, and discussion the next project to work on especially "televised conference sessions in the sign language for the deaf". (Church News, 1972 Aug 19)

Standing from left to right: Bishop Joe Brandenburg, James Still, and William Bennett, bishopric of the Los Angeles Ward for the Deaf with Keith Gamache Sr., sitting. 

Source: Needs Identified At Seminar for LDS Deaf, Deseret News 1972 Aug 19 Page 39, San Fernando, California.

The introduction of finalized draft of the "Dictionary of Sign Language Terms" in 1977 represented a crucial step towards the standardization of Gospel signs and sacred ordinances in ASL. Officially published by the church on January 1, 1980, this essential work was developed with the guidance of Terrence J. O'Rourke, a respected consultant in the sign language field. O'Rourke, a California native and alumnus of the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley, was already a well-known author of several sign language books. This book featuring 230 church-related signs, to promote the consistent recognition and application of Gospel signs in ASL throughout the church. (Deseret News 1977 Oct 15 Page 56)

Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City, Utah.

The legacy of the Southern California Branch for the Deaf lived on through the Los Angeles Ward for the Deaf before it was divided into two wards: the Torrance North Ward for the Deaf and the San Fernando Valley Ward for the Deaf. Bishop Robert "Rob" Sutton was called to serve as the first bishop of the Torrance North Ward for the Deaf, with Frederick "Fred" Markworth as First Counselor and Ralph Trask as Second Counselor. Initially, the ward met at the Manhattan Beach Ward building at 501 Rowell Ave. in Manhattan Beach. After a few years, the ward relocated to the Redondo Beach Ward building at 715 Knob Hill Ave. in Redondo Beach in 1981.

In 1985, the ward was renamed the Torrance Fourth (Deaf) Ward, with Bishop Roy Nitta called to lead, supported by Herbert Royce as First Counselor and Frederick "Fred" Markworth as Second Counselor. Shortly after the name change, the ward moved to its current location at 2000 West Artesia Blvd. in Torrance.

The establishment of a Deaf ward in the San Fernando Valley on April 16, 1978, was a natural development, given the area’s long-standing status as a center for the Deaf community. Since the 1940s, the Valley has held one of the largest concentrations of Deaf residents in the United States, according to community experts (Los Angeles Times, April 28, 1985). Following World War II, as housing developments replaced the area’s orange groves, many Deaf people and families settled in the Valley, fostering a vibrant community. Over time, the Valley became a hub for Deaf culture and education, especially with the establishment of the National Center on Deafness (NCOD) at California State University Northridge (CSUN) in 1964, when CSUN was still a college.

Amid this growing and diverse community, the San Fernando Valley Ward for the Deaf was formally organized on April 16, 1978, with Bishop Samuel Judd called to lead the new ward with Rene Gamache as First Counselor and William "Bill" Andrew as Second Counselor. The ward met at the Tarzana chapel within the Chatsworth Stake.

The  San Fernando Valley Ward for the Deaf's ward boundaries covered a large area: starting at the southern boundary line with the Torrance Ward boundary along Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles by UCLA and extended to University City, then the line continues east, following the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, passing San Fernando city. The boundary extended further east, covering the remainder of Los Angeles County, including Lancaster and Palmdale. The boundary continued north to the Kern County line and west, covering the area up to the Ventura County line. The area south of Sunset Blvd. was part of the Torrance Ward, now Torrance 4th Branch.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ first took root in the San Diego area among the Deaf community due to the dedicated efforts of missionaries and Deaf members who had relocated from the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Their perseverance and outreach led to the official formation of the San Diego Branch for the Deaf in 1971, as part of the San Diego Stake. John Acosta Jr., a Deaf architect, was called as the first Branch President, with Coleman Cornell serving as First Counselor and Mike Wentzel as Second Counselor.

The branch began with an average attendance of around 22 members at the start of 1972, steadily growing to 43 members by the end of 1973. This early community gathered to worship and build friendships, creating a welcoming environment for Deaf members in San Diego. Initially, the branch shared a building with the San Diego 6th Ward (now known as the Point Loma Ward) at 3705 Tennyson St., a shared arrangement that continued until 1977. Through their efforts, the branch provided a strong foundation for Deaf members to grow in faith within the San Diego area.

John Acosta Jr., The Star News, 30 July 1981, page B-1. 

On October 16, 1977, the San Diego Branch for the Deaf was renamed the San Diego 21st (Deaf) Branch, with Ross Clark called as the next Branch President, Keith Gamache Sr. as First Counselor, and Robert Barron as Second Counselor. Shortly after, the branch moved to a distinctive and beautiful building at 5299 Trojan Ave., affectionately known as “the Trojan building.” This chapel, known for its unique architectural style, remains standing today and now serves as the meetinghouse for two Spanish-speaking wards: Colina del Sol Ward and Monte Vista Ward.

The Trojan chapel on 5299 Trojan Ave in San Diego

In 1981, the San Diego 21st (Deaf) Branch organized the San Diego Deaf Sports Day at Balboa Park, an event that attracted over 300 attendees, including members of the Deaf community from the San Fernando Valley Ward. Missionaries assisted in hosting the event, which featured a committee composed mainly of branch members along with a few non-members. The event included 23 teams of six players who participated in various competitions, from relays to pie-eating contests, and offered food and entertainment throughout the day. This large event raised awareness of the branch in the Deaf community, sparking interest in the Church among attendees and building connections between Deaf members and non-members alike.

Entering the 1990s, the branch continued to grow and was renamed the University City (Deaf) Branch in the San Diego California North Stake on May 5, 1992, reflecting its new location in the University City area of San Diego. By 1993, the branch had over 100 members, due in part to the dedicated efforts of Tracine Parkinson, a returned ASL missionary. Tracine’s beginning, intermediate, and interpreting ASL classes attracted significant interest from both members and non-members, enhancing community engagement and broadening the branch’s reach. Her work was highlighted in Church News on August 20, 1993, in the article West Area Work Moves Forward for Deaf, which detailed the branch’s notable growth.

On March 19, 1989, Dwight Baker was called as the new Branch President of the Riverside 3rd Branch for the Deaf. President Baker requested to relocate the branch meetings from the Sherman Building on Jackson Street to the Woodcrest Ward building at 16930 Via Los Caballeros in Riverside. This move allowed President Baker to be closer to his daughter, who was experiencing health challenges.

While meeting at the Woodcrest Ward building, the branch had the privilege of hosting the Southern California Deaf Conference. This gathering brought nearly 500 attendees together for a weekend of spiritual fellowship. The event featured a sacrament meeting on Sunday, followed by workshops and a cookout dinner on Saturday. The branch also organized pre-service dinner parties, inviting special guests like Roy Combs from Family Feud, actor Gordon Jump from WKRP in Cincinnati, and Bishop Roy K. Nitta, who shared his moving story as a young Deaf Japanese boy during the atomic bomb attack at the end of World War II.

The Riverside Branch participated in a memorable Leadership Training meeting at the Jurupa Stake Center, where President Gordon B. Hinckley, then First Counselor in the First Presidency, spoke to the congregation. John Powers, son of former Branch President Robert Powers, served as the interpreter for this event, allowing the Deaf members to fully engage in the experience.

Under President Baker’s leadership, the branch grew steadily, reaching nearly 150 members and submitting a proposal to upgrade to ward status. Although this initial request was declined, the branch continued its missionary efforts and community outreach, leading to further growth. By the end of the 1990s, the membership had nearly doubled, with close to 300 members. The branch once again applied to become a ward, but the proposal was turned down a second time.

Despite these setbacks, the Riverside 3rd Branch for the Deaf remains committed to its mission. The branch continues to focus on worship, mutual support, and missionary work, strengthening the Deaf community in the Inland Empire. Through challenges and growth, the branch has maintained its dedication to serving one another and sharing the Gospel.

President Eric Corral recommended to the Stake Presidency that the Riverside Branch boundary be restored to its original lines. He explained that the current boundary, which is smaller than the Riverside California Stake, does not match the branch’s original boundary, creating logistical challenges. Notably, none of the current members of the Branch Presidency under President Corral reside within the branch’s current boundary, complicating support for missionary efforts since many members live outside the restricted area.

The proposal outlined a return to the original boundary lines, starting from Highway 71 in the west and following the San Bernardino and Riverside County lines eastward relatively. This proposal was submitted to Church headquarters, and approval was granted, allowing the boundary to revert to its original position. The Riverside Branch now encompasses Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, providing broader coverage and better support for branch members and missionary work.

Riverside Branch boundary

On June 7-9, 2024, the Riverside ASL Branch hosted “The Gathering of Zion,” a gathering of Deaf Saints in Southern California—the first since 2016. Held at 181 Blaine St. in Riverside, CA, the event welcomed members from ASL units across the region, including Torrance, San Diego, and Rolling Hills. The event began with a Friday evening social and a hamburger dinner, where local members hosted out-of-town guests and provided social, setting a warm, inclusive tone for the weekend.

Saturday’s activities started with a keynote by President James Smith, who recounted the history of Deaf Saints of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Southern California, honoring their legacy of faith. His message called on attendees to carry forward this legacy, inspiring them to participate in Lord's gathering of Israel work. Attendees then joined workshops on faith in Lord, Jesus Christ. Brother Jay Thexton spoke on “What Kind of Disposition Do We Want to Have After Our Resurrection?” urging self-reflection on how our present actions shape our eternal character. Sister Vida Longoria presented “The Influence of Women in the Church,” highlighting the powerful legacy of women and encouraging attendees to recognize the strength they bring to the Church. Rounding out the sessions, Sister Rebecca Moore, one of the first Sister missionary called to ASL mission, gave a talk titled “Make Time for the Lord,” sharing her journey in the Church and reminding attendees to prioritize their relationship with God. Each workshop left participants inspired, fostering a deeper sense of faith and commitment to follow Jesus Christ.

The highlight of the event came Saturday evening with a festive Lūʻau and Polynesian dance performance, bringing together over 150 participants. The program included traditional dances, ASL interpretations, and a captivating Samoan fire stick dance, creating an atmosphere of celebration and cultural unity. The evening underscored the strength of the LDS members and ASL community, as audience members joined in the dances and bonded through shared cultural experiences.

On Sunday, the Gathering of Zion event concluded with a sacrament meeting and devotional that left a lasting impact on attendees. Sister Diane Gamache opened with her talk, “Moving Forward with Faith in Christ,” encouraging everyone to let faith be their guiding force. Brother Eric Corral followed with “Now What?” challenging participants to reflect on how they would apply the messages and experiences of the weekend in their daily lives. Together, these talks inspired attendees to carry the spirit of the gathering forward, with a renewed commitment to live and share the Gospel. The event wrapped up with a lunch, offering one final opportunity for connection and reflection. Strengthened by the shared faith and fellowship, participants departed with a renewed determination to follow their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Visit our Gathering of Zion webpage for more information.