Biographies of Deaf
Latter day Saint Leaders
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
2012
2012
Ogden Branch for the Deaf, 1924
Religion is mentioned in this biography document because Utah is home to a rich history of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints, and its influence on the Utah Deaf community is significant.
Max W. Woodbury presided the Ogden Branch for the Deaf for fifty-one years. Under his leadership, many Deaf members grew up and became teachers and leaders in their respective home areas. Ultimately, the branch was a model for organizing future units for the deaf, such as the Salt Lake Valley Deaf Ward, Los Angeles Deaf Branch, Portland Heights Deaf Branch, Fremont Deaf Branch, Gooding Deaf Branch and all others around the world (Walker, 2006).
Today, Deaf branches and wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have become a central place for worship and social activities where both deaf and signing LDS and non-LDS gather to communicate in their sign language.
It is my hope that the family members of the subjects of these biographies will find this information helpful for historical preservation and genealogy research purposes. Additionally, it can help preserve the biography's life story for future generations to appreciate and remember.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Max W. Woodbury presided the Ogden Branch for the Deaf for fifty-one years. Under his leadership, many Deaf members grew up and became teachers and leaders in their respective home areas. Ultimately, the branch was a model for organizing future units for the deaf, such as the Salt Lake Valley Deaf Ward, Los Angeles Deaf Branch, Portland Heights Deaf Branch, Fremont Deaf Branch, Gooding Deaf Branch and all others around the world (Walker, 2006).
Today, Deaf branches and wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have become a central place for worship and social activities where both deaf and signing LDS and non-LDS gather to communicate in their sign language.
It is my hope that the family members of the subjects of these biographies will find this information helpful for historical preservation and genealogy research purposes. Additionally, it can help preserve the biography's life story for future generations to appreciate and remember.
Jodi Becker Kinner
Laron Pratt
Laron Pratt
On January 10, 1892, Laron Pratt founded the Deaf Mute Sunday School in the 19th Ward of Salt Lake City, Utah and was installed as assistant superintendent. He became a stake Sunday School missionary, traveling to local and general church meetings to give talks and sign hymns with his daughter as vocalist.
Photo courtesy of God Made Me Deaf Accounts from Deaf Latter-day Saints 1836-1916
Biography of Laron Pratt (PDF)
Photo courtesy of God Made Me Deaf Accounts from Deaf Latter-day Saints 1836-1916
Biography of Laron Pratt (PDF)
Max W. Woodbury
Max W. Woodbury
Max W. Woodbury was devoted to the education of the deaf at the Utah School for the Deaf, the institution that he so ably served with such a great distinction and devotion as teacher, teacher-supervising teacher, and finally as teacher-principal. He had served as president of the Ogden Branch for the Deaf for 51 years from 1917 to 1968. He is “believed to have set a record in the Church” serving the faculty and students of Utah School for the Deaf and the members of the Deaf community.
Photo courtesy of the UAD Bulletin, Winter 1967
Biography of Max W. Woodbury (PDF)
Photo courtesy of the UAD Bulletin, Winter 1967
Biography of Max W. Woodbury (PDF)
Rodney W. Walker
Rodney W. Walker
In 1998, Rodney W. Walker, then 84, a descendant of Utah pioneers, was called as the first Deaf temple sealer.
Biography of Rodney W. Walker (PDF)
Biography of Rodney W. Walker (PDF)