In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, congregations are organized in different sizes and called by different names. Language-specific congregations have slightly different guidelines about how they are formed and organized.
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A branch is the smallest official Latter-day Saint congregation.
Where can I find a sign language branch with a deaf/signing branch president?
A ward is a typical Latter-day Saint congregation.
- Language-specific wards typically have 125 or more members and are led by a bishopric and multiple male and female volunteer leaders.
- As of October 4, 2025, there are six (6) active sign language wards in the world. Tap or click on the “Where can I find a sign language ward…” link below to see all of them.
- Historically, these were called ‘Deaf wards,’ but since 2011, they have been called ‘sign language’ wards (i.e., Salt Lake Valley 1st Ward [Sign Language]). Filter the list below to see past ‘Historical’ or ‘Legacy’ Deaf or sign language wards.
- It’s important to remember that because a spoken-language ward has a few deaf members and maybe some interpreters who attend, that’s not considered a ‘deaf ward,’ that’s a ‘sign language group’ and you can learn more about them below.
Where can I find a sign language ward with a deaf/signing bishop?
A group is a formal or informal meeting of church members that gather for specific needs.
- A group is not an official Church organization, but it is a formal or informal group of church members that gather for specific needs; the Church does not officially record or report ‘groups’ on lists or maps.
- (See Church Handbook 37.7 for meeting guidelines.) Groups are important to D/HH church members because these are where most members tend to meet. Learn more.
- A group can be one person.
- Most sign language groups are supported by one or more interpreter; larger groups may have their own separate sign language Sunday School, priesthood, and/or Relief Society meetings. Some groups have group leaders that are set apart and meet with the hearing ward council.
- As of October 4, 2025, it is unknown how many deaf/sign language groups there are in the world.
Where can I find a smaller sign language group that meets together with other hearing church members and interpreters?