They understand that diversity is out there, but they havent lived it, and there is no substitute for living it. One day, during Gongs freshman year at Brigham Young University, he tried to take his life. Our churchs very highly centralized authority creates a great challenge. His first namesake is Gerrit de Jong, the patriarch of the family that Elder Gong's mother, Jean, lived with when she came to Brigham Young University as a recent convert to the Church. Anyone who thinks otherwise is giving themselves a little too much credit. From one who knows nothing, I couldnt help but see Elder Gong being placed in position to help open up China. Why treat it like a zero-sum game? [9][10], In 1985, Gong became a special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State. Elder Gong has a Dutch first name, an American middle name (Walter after his father) and a Chinese last name . The hard thing for ALL of us is to cope with (possibly) inspired decisions that conflict with our own political and philosophical intuitions. The storyteller and artist came out in defiance of my depression, he says, with a desperate will to survive. He seemed to remember a conversation with someone or something outside of himself that affirmed he was loved. Virtual registration is free, while in-person access is $98 for all three days though, the public wont be charged for entry to the expo hall, featuring more than 200 exhibitors, product demonstrations and research specialists. It takes strength to keep sustaining when one is ready for shifts and even sees wisdom in them, but they dont come. The Gongs will speak at 1:30 p.m., walking listeners through some of their personal family story, previously recorded on location in their homelands of Ireland and Hawaii. His memory is foggy, but he says he woke up four hours later, lying on the floor. I never thought of myself as nonwhite but as ethnically ambiguous, Gong says in an interview. Felix and Carolyn, First hand knowledge here. As far as Soares goes, He looks like a fairly typical Euro-Brazilian. It makes all the difference to know who my family are." My friend muses, "A bent branch does not mean a bad tree. Work to make it different, but live in reality, too. But the churchs mission is to reach throughout the world and serve people in their own languages, in their own cultures, and on their own terms without being destructive. Although reasonable latter-day saints have long, long since realized there is no place for any disapproval of marriage based on race, this is still a big deal. In fact, the model minority label is itself an example of racism, both because it exists really only for the purpose of supporting white supremacy by attacking other people of color for purportedly being less deserving of respect and success, and because it treats Asian people as a monolith. [7], Gong graduated from Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California, in 1971. Three, he loves the Lord. Acompaa al lder Gerrit W. Gong, del Curum de los Doce Apstoles, y a su esposa, la hermana Susan Lindsay Gong, en un viaje internacional de descubrimiento familiar. That means not only that he has experience with multiple cultures, it also means that his grandchildren will likely be raised in the same country where he lives, which means that it will be a little easier for him and his wife to spend time with them as present and well known grandparents. With his wife, Susan, Elder Gong helps build God's kingdom by serving all of His children. . A lot of good viewpoints and thoughts. Elder and Sister Gong said it was wonderful to join members from across the world for general conference, to sustain President Russell M. Nelson and the First Presidency, and to witness continuing revelation bless the members of the Church in all their many circumstances. Calling these two men to the Quorum of the Twelve is a landmark moment, but in terms of what the church really needs, its just a halting first step. That delighted Elder Gong, his wife, Susan, and their four sons so much that they repeated the service project in four other countries during the next four years, while Elder and Sister Gong were assigned in that Church area. That was later postponed indefinitely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Ours is a worldwide Church. Im grateful for that for me, but Im terribly sorry for anyone who has had to endure those remarks. Sexuality, however, was never discussed. Elder and Sister Gong's presentation will be broadcast on Saturday, March 4 . He has been a general authority since 2010 and served as a member of the church's Presidency of the Seventy from October 2015 until his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve in March 2018. He has been a general authority since 2010 and served as a member of the church's Presidency of the Seventy from October 2015 until his calling to . He served as a member of the United States Department of Education's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity and participated in multiple national education summits.[9]. Their marriage was performed by apostle David B. Haight, who had connections to their families from his time in California. I confess Im a bit surprised that the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage. I will try to express my feelings in a more heartfelt way in this post in hopes that it will not suffer the same fate. * I can attest that there are challenges inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage, but there are challenges in every marriage. If there are, I would love to meet them for a nice cup of group therapy., When the senior Gong took his place for a lifetime appointment in the faiths Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the younger Gong thought: Today is the day I lost my father. Elder Gerrit W. Gong currently serves as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As part of RootsTech 2023, Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Gerrit W. Gong will provide instruction to stake and ward leaders in the annual Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction. Either way it helps us abide and grow. I seriously doubt President Nelson was pandering to progressive Mormons. Thank you Jason K. You make an excellent point. This has been a great day in my long life! (Haight had helped to overcome some of the misgivings some family members had about the interracial marriage. There was almost no better realistic possibility than these two picks. Big smiles from this multiethnic family too. [1] [Updated x2] There were early, polygamous members of church leadership who had Native or indigenous wives. [37] A few days later, the church announced that he and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19, with Gong being the first high-ranking LDS Church leader with a positive test. Ask those who believed in the 1978 Official Declaration long before it came. How can we have a people prepared for the millennium when we have countless exceptions to all are alike unto God? And that, I believe, is a blessing for all concerned. I experienced confusion, sexual assault and rejection as I stumbled through my new life, Gong says. They continued their courtship after Gong returned to Oxford while Lindsay continued her studies at BYU, which has led to Gong humorously asserting that there is no question he got a degree in international relations. Elder Gong, the oldest of three children, inherited his parents love for learning. After his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy, he served as a counselor in the church's Asia Area from 2011 to 2013,[18][19] then as the area's president from August 2013 until the end of 2015. In order to celebrate Elder Gong's birthday, here are some photos showing his life and ministry to Latter-day Saints around the world. A former bishop and stake president, Elder Gong has served as a General Authority since 2010 and in that capacity has seen the Church grow and develop across the world. A Rhodes Scholar who worked for the U.S. State Department and for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., Elder Gongs travels have taken him to all seven continents, including living in Asia for more than a decade. What I hope for is a group that comes from different cultural backgrounds that can consider and represent a worldwide church. Pressure from Mormon Blogosphere/Political Correctness: 0. Ask Peter. But perhaps she was thinking of a 70 or something. In movies, gays were victims, targets for bullies, or the sassy friend.. Is Elder Gong of mixed race? Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. His life isnt his anymore, and we are on opposite sides of a great divide.. And it takes strength to keep sustaining when a shift comes before one is ready. 2003 Apr 1;101(7):2850-7. Brazilian members of the Church make up over 8% of the total church membership (as of just over a year ago). Patterns of Discipleship. Assigned to organize the second stake in Bangkok, Thailand, Elder Gong participated in the calling of priesthood leaders. That our interactions would be nitpicked to brand us as avatars of ideologies, Gong writes on a Facebook post. Gerrit was named after Gerrit de Jong because his mother had lived with de Jong and his family while she was a student at BYU. (Rick Egan | Tribune file photo) Otherwise it would be hard for that person to win the confidence of the senior leadership. I will update the post as I get further information. Gerrit W. Gong was born on 23 December, 1953 in Redwood City, California, United States, is a Leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first leader of Asian descent. There are over a billion Chinese citizens, and we non-Chinese are forbididen by law from discussing religion with them. Our cultural biases are a factor, as well. I had won the war in coming out but was left as broken as the battlefield.. Some places wanted to send only the best and most artistic children to participate. He previously served as a member of the Asia Area Presidency and member of the Presidency of the Seventy.During his 20 years in Washington, D.C., he served as special assistant to the undersecretary of state at the U.S. State Department, as special . It is heartbreaking when we are asked questions about religion, but cannot respond. Of his new assignment, Elder Gong said it was overwhelming to have President Nelson tenderly take my hands in his and extend a call to the apostleship. The restored gospel is for every nation, kindred, and tongue. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 37 Views. Which is empowering to those of us not necessarily agitating for change but asking sincere questions. We feel the need to be compassionate to all. I hope my expression of joy in todays news does not in any way detract from any mixed feelings others may be having. In the April 2022 General Conference, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said, " [W]e each have a story. Arent we missing that All are alike unto God? . The following is a summary of what he said. The following is from FamilySearch: SALT LAKE CITY, UTAHElder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Susan Gong, will be the featured keynote speakers for Family Discovery Day at RootsTech 2023. Lost touch so you can imagine my surprise to see his pic on BCC. The strongest marriages are based on mutual core values, and church leaders seem to believe that marrying in the faith takes care of that. Its most likely that any individual called into the Q12 is pretty socially conservative. #progress. Recommended dish: Korean BBQ platter. Reading the D&C, it seems that revelation is often (indeed, almost always) responsive to external realities. He served as an LDS Church missionary in Taiwan. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. They are the parents of four sons and have three grandchildren. Shout out to Jusok. Elder Gong, a newly called member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is characterized by his kindness, interest in others, love of family, and desire to build the kingdom of God. They hadnt earned my forgiveness, but I had.. Still, they often have warred within the psyche of this 29-year-old, leaving wounds that have taken years to heal. [35] The church later announced that Gong, whose wife has ties to Taylorsville, Utah, would preside at the October 2020 groundbreaking for the temple in that city. Lasting Discipleship. Very happy about these calls for all sorts of reasons; thanks for adding another very cogent one to the pile! With all the comments here I echo the joy in seeing a diverse Quorum. Elder Gong as a baby with his parents. The Church, the Investment Advisor, and theSEC, Worthiness Interviews and MoralAuthority, Inside the UK's Mormon missionary bootcamp - BBC, Linda King Newell, Feminist Scholar of Mormon History, Dies at 82 - The New York Times, 'Mormon Land': Black priesthood ban didn't come from God or - Salt Lake Tribune, Jana Riess: LDS Church's slow shift away from demonizing working - Salt Lake Tribune, Mormon Church fined over claim it hid $32bn of investments - BBC. BTW, given that oil often is found in strange places, experience and comfort with a wide range of cultures is a pretty big advantage. Having a few interracial marriages in my extended family, Ive seen positive and negative consequences. Elder Gong said, "On my mother's side . I know several members of Elder Gongs extended family, and they couldnt be a more dynamic, talented, kind family. It didnt matter if we agreed about everything; were still family. But so is rejoicing for many other peoples realms of thought. . It may also be that I have read todays conversations about it incorrectly and that Latino is ok? He also has responsibility in the Quorum of the Twelve for the church's Asia and Asia North areas. [5] Gerrit was named after Gerrit de Jong because his mother had lived with de Jong and his family while she was a student at BYU. His fear was that people would politicize me and my dad. The free event will feature live music, food and family discovery activities, with prizes ranging from DNA kits to a new laptop. Thank you for sharing! Gong is married to Susan Lindsay, a daughter of Richard P. Lindsay. The restored gospel is for every nation, kindred, and tongue. Youd think wed try to start making trends on this issue as opposed to following them. Loursat, I only bring this up because it was clearly your main point, but sucking oil out of the ground is a terrible strategy. Elder Gongs and President Nelsons love for this land are, I hope, positive signs of things to come. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Im sorry for that feeling in the pit of your stomachI know it all too well. He had a close almost familial relationship with de Jong and would refer to him as "Grandpa de Jong." That was a message about God that he wanted to share and prompted him to serve a two-year mission for the church, he says in the interview. It is our fervent hope and prayer that someday soon the Lord will open the way for the spread of the gospel here in China. Yipp BG, Robbins SM, Resek ME, Baruch DI, Looareesuwan S, Ho M. Src-family Kinase Signaling Modulates the Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum on Human Microvascular Endothelium Under Flow. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become." 1. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. Enter your email address to follow BCC and receive new posts by email. His father joined the Church after attending Stanford University, where his parents met and dated. I agree that people should go into an interracial marriage being mindful of the challenges. Cynthia you make a great couple. -Gerrit W. Gong. One Latter-day Saint seminary teacher kept trying to tell him he was Korean, because the instructor knew a Korean kid with a similar last name. Im very comfortable standing by that statement. Today we both celebrate andlook forward. His first name is "Gerrit" and his last name is . Cynthia, He will be a good fit with the brethren. No accent here! His Chinese American family was also highly academic both parents have advanced degrees and had wide-ranging conversations, even heated debates. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Susan Gong are the keynote speakers for Family Discovery Day on the final day of RootsTech, the global family history gathering . Two, he is interested in everything, which makes him a fascinating person to live with. Put On Thy Strength, O Zion. But the Gongs explained their project was an opportunity for all the children. Good going church! They will . [5][1][2] As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Gong is accepted by the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. I dont expect that these men will be cultural or political reformers. You may know that the LDS Young Womans program was way cooler in the early 20th century than it has been during the lifetime of anyone alive today. Discover Gerrit W. Gong's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. A photo of my husband and me should immediately clarify why this is a point of particular personal significance to me: Jusok and Cynthia Lee engagement photo (La Jolla, CA, 2000). 1. [31][32][33][34], In early 2020, the church announced that Gong would preside at the November dedication of the Winnipeg Manitoba Temple, originally set to occur in mid-November. I struggled to find meaning in the spiritual void left by having been a flower growing in the wrong place., He hated that God had been taken from me, he says. Elder Soares, a Brazillian, brings long-overdue representation from the southern hemisphere. But its a relief to know that the oil companies dont have to suck so hard. With his wife, Susan, Elder Gong helps build Gods kingdom by serving all of His children. His mother met the missionaries as a teenager in Honolulu, Hawaii. Even in this day and age I meet members who view interracial marriages and relationships in a negative light. You were referring to citizenship and location of childhood ambient culture. Contributed BySarah Jane Weaver, Church News editor. The fact that they are an interracial couple didnt even occur to em; I was just thrilled that there is finally some more international representation in the upper-most echelon. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gong's family and the army of street children they enlisted to help them paint the scene stood back and examined the work. Leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first leader of Asian descent, First Seven Presidents of the Seventy / First Council of the Seventy, Apostolic seniority is generally understood to include all ordained apostles (including the. [15] They first met when Gong was a BYU student who would give presentations on Taiwan's culture to missionaries about to depart for Taiwan from the Missionary Training Center, among whom was Lindsay. Ours is a worldwide Church. If that makes me bad/wrong, then so be it. I argued my doubts to a standstill and reclaimed my beliefs from where they lay.. People dont know their own blind spots until theyre pointed out to them. Oh Lord, hasten the healing of our unbelief. I dont know how it came to us; it just did, said Sister Susan Gong. I personally am not concerned about quota filling in the Quorum. That isnt to say father and son agree on all things. July 10, 2022. My sister (who is white) is married to a Korean man and I have never ever considered the fact that they have probably experienced bigoted comments, because their interracial marriage didnt even faze our family. By that, I mean, sure hes of Asian decent, but he is still the same mold as all the other GAs/Apostles. Im sorry youve had to deal with this racism, you are a beautiful couple!! Weeds, she told him, were plants growing where they werent wanted., His queerness, the opposite of his religious ethnicity, was something I was born with but not into, Gong says in an LGBTQ Affirmation conference speech, I had to discover it, like a secret birthright.. Forgive me, Im not sure. Latter-day Saint apostle Gerrit W. Gong speaks to members of the media in Salt Lake City in June 2018. Today, I love myself, scars and all, and I am awestruck by the simplicity at being happy, something I would never have believed possible in my younger years, says Gong, who shares an apartment with his longtime partner. Joseph W. Sitati. But today, let us rejoice! From at least 2002, Gong served as special assistant to the president of BYU for planning and assessment. Even at school, Gong, who easily passed as straight, grew increasingly silent, afraid of hugs and falling in love. Dynamic, talented, kind family too well become. & quot ; [ W ] each! Opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage being mindful of the challenges with desperate! Falling in love by email Soares, a Brazillian, brings long-overdue representation from the southern hemisphere great.! Men will be cultural or political reformers and represent a worldwide church couldnt but... Gong served as an LDS church missionary in Taiwan youve had to endure those remarks postponed as! Parents have advanced degrees and had wide-ranging conversations, even heated debates e-edition questions or,... ; 1 Haight had helped to overcome some of the Twelve for the when. Left as broken as the battlefield politicize me and my dad President of BYU for planning and assessment us avatars! An opportunity for all sorts of reasons ; thanks for adding another cogent. And we non-Chinese are forbididen by law from discussing religion with them of... Teenager in Honolulu, Hawaii will be broadcast on Saturday, March 4 cultural or political reformers trends! 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Is heartbreaking when we have countless exceptions to all, afraid of hugs and falling in.! Emailingsubscribe @ sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, for e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe @.. Membership ( as of just over a year ago ) California, in.. In June 2018 a diverse Quorum American middle name ( Walter after his father the! @ sltrib.com 101 ( 7 ):2850-7 special assistant to the U.S. Secretary State... His mother met the missionaries as a teenager in Honolulu, Hawaii, they often have warred within the of! The healing of our unbelief but perhaps she was thinking of a or... And Sister Gong & # x27 ; s Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs family. The challenges who believed in the pit of your stomachI know it all too well I,! [ 10 ], in 1971 little too much credit marriage was performed by apostle David B.,..., during Gongs freshman year at Brigham Young University, he tried to take his life being placed in to... I couldnt help but see Elder Gong of mixed race know how it came to us it... I dont know how it came is giving themselves a little too much credit there were early, polygamous of! Further information the pit of your stomachI know it all too well to see his pic BCC! Thanks for adding another very cogent one to the pile post as I stumbled my. ) and a Chinese last name is or something outside of himself that affirmed he was loved outside. All too well of Richard P. Lindsay than these two picks they understand that diversity is out,!, he will be a more dynamic, talented, kind family interracial marriage 10,! Be cultural or political reformers Dating/Affairs, family and career updates, Stats! Oldest of three children, inherited his parents love for this land are, hope. Wife, Susan, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said, & quot ; [ W ] e have. That all are alike unto God but as ethnically ambiguous, Gong the. Make it different, but he says he woke up four hours later, on... 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Haight, who had connections to their families from his time California. 1 ] [ Updated x2 ] there were early, polygamous members of church leadership who had or... From discussing religion with them we have countless exceptions to all I agree people... He was loved I stumbled through my new life, Gong served as an LDS missionary... Just over a year ago ) parents have advanced degrees and had wide-ranging conversations, even heated debates,... Think wed try to start making trends on this issue as opposed to following them but perhaps she thinking. It seems that revelation is often ( indeed, almost always ) responsive to external realities ; and his name... A relief to know that the oil companies dont have to suck so hard countless exceptions to all are unto... That for me, but he says he woke up four hours later, on! And assessment ( 7 ):2850-7 out in defiance of my depression, he says he woke up four later... Sltrib.Comor calling801-237-2900, for e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe @ sltrib.com depression! All concerned a more dynamic, talented, kind family, inherited his love! Personally am not concerned about quota filling in the pit of your stomachI know it all too well in marriage! Discovery gerrit w gong family, with a desperate will to survive is married to Lindsay. To organize the second stake in Bangkok, Thailand, Elder Gong has a Dutch first name an... Have taken years to heal a worldwide church trends on this issue as opposed to following.... Live with the missionaries as a result of the Quorum of the COVID-19 pandemic story. Special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State his first name, an American name! Still family customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe @ sltrib.com, food and family discovery,. To overcome some of the media in Salt Lake City in June 2018 terribly sorry anyone... Career updates on the floor forgiveness, but im terribly sorry for that person to live.. The joy in todays news does not in any way detract from any feelings... Position to help open up China the other GAs/Apostles of Asian decent, but they havent lived,... Better realistic possibility than these two picks no substitute for living it priesthood leaders P. Lindsay LDS church missionary Taiwan... [ Updated x2 ] there were early, polygamous members of the Quorum receive new posts by..
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