Today I had the privilege of attending a baptismal service where a deaf man performed the baptismal ordinance.

Signing the baptismal prayer required using both hands. So the manner in which things were done was adapted slightly to perform the ordinance. The baptizer and baptizee were simply standing in the water next to each other while he signed the prayer. Only after he was done signing did he take her wrist in one hand while using the other hand to support her as she was immersed in the water.

While the baptismal prayer was being signed, an elder (who happened to be wearing a hearing aid himself) verbally interpreted the baptismal prayer for the observers.

I was really grateful to be able to observe this happening. I had never seen a deaf person perform the baptismal ordinance previously (though I’m certain it’s happened many times in the history of the Church).