gerrit w gong family

The three-day gathering (March 2 to 4, 2023) will feature several . :). David A. Bednar. Gerrit Walter Gong (born December 23, 1953) is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). 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]. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, will attend. 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). [36], During the church's general conference in October 2020, it was announced that Gong and his wife had been exposed to COVID-19, and that his address had been pre-recorded as he quarantined at home. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of April 2022 general conference. To appreciate why this feels especially significant to me that we have not only an interracial couple, but specifically a Chinese-American man and a white woman, we have to have a frank talk about how racism in the United States manifests against Asians and Asian-Americans, specifically in regards to gender and sex. At that moment you feel very humble, but you are certain in your confidence and love for President Nelson as the Lords prophet and Church President. Shes everything one would hope for someone in that role. It was my biggest hope for the conference. I dont expect that these men will be cultural or political reformers. Thanks for calling attention to the interracial marriage barrier being broken and what this can mean to many families. The couple hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and loves to travel with their sons. So, I will clarify to satisfy you both. It will be another important step when we have the first woman of color wife of an apostle, the first black man, more examples of lives lived on more continents and in bodies with different abilities, anddare we hopethe first woman. I experienced confusion, sexual assault and rejection as I stumbled through my new life, Gong says. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gongs family stand in front of a mural project with the children who assisted them in Vietnam. To read the full article on LDS.org, click here. I confronted and broke down the lies I had been told about what it means to be queer. (The . Ours is a worldwide Church. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Their circumstances are different, but their faith and testimonies are in many ways the same, he said. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, the first Asian-American Apostle, is a faithful lifelong Church member. Shout out to Jusok. Leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first leader of Asian descent. Representation matters. Whether or not Brazilians are Latinos is complicated. 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. . They will share some of their stories at Family Discovery Day during RootsTech 2023. [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. In what way have you narrowed that definition that causes you to think you can exclude him from that? Having crushes on boys in elementary school. Im sorry for that feeling in the pit of your stomachI know it all too well. Why does ethnicity have to be politicized in Zion the way it is in Babylon? Good going church! 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 . Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. His memory is foggy, but he says he woke up four hours later, lying on the floor. There is complexity in every relationship and we continue to work at it., If theres a single label that he claims for his identity, its Gong, he says. 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. Until he was 10, Matt Gong, the family's fourth of four sons, lived in the Washington, D.C., area, where his dad worked at a policy think tank. 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. Love the Gongs. I am pleased for him. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, the first Asian-American Apostle, is a faithful lifelong Church member. While for *me* its not a big deal to see two races come together in marriage, to pretend its *objectively* not a factor at all is a trifle naive. Patterns of Discipleship. . Discover Gerrit W. Gong's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Work to make it different, but live in reality, too. Never a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 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. At the risk of being a downer: there are still at least two places on lds.org with instructional materials containing a quote that members are encouraged to marry within their race. Meet Elder Gerrit W. Gong: "Unfailingly Kind" Family Man. Matthew Gong, Matthew Gong is a minority three times over in his own words Chinese American, Mormon and queer.. The authors presentation assumes an intellectual supremacy that we all should come to the same interpretations.though I guess thats what opinions are. Elder Gong loves learning and spending time with family. Having people who know about petroleum extraction is always useful! We need to learn to love so unconditionally that we do not see race anymore, nor genders, nor other marginalization great and small. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Susan, have rich family histories from Hawaii and Ireland. for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.. Born in Redwood City, California, to Walter A. and Jean C. Gong, Elder Gong comes to the apostleship with a background rich in education and experience. [24], On March 31, 2018, Gong was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In the April 2022 General Conference, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said, " [W]e each have a story. 37 Views. Pressure from Mormon Blogosphere/Political Correctness: 0. I never thought of myself as nonwhite but as ethnically ambiguous, Gong says in an interview. He began to heal, until there was one final battle: to face institutions and people who had harmed and abused him. There is a misconception that Asians and Asian-Americans do not experience racism in the US, because their model minority status casts them as the ideal scholars and citizens. Similarly, we were happy and hopeful to learn of President Nelsons ties to this wonderful land. 1. Review of "We Each Have a Story" by Apostle Gerrit W. Gong. they wondered. Love your family. The apostle choices here should be celebrated and I would say without much qualification for progressive mormons. 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. He was called to London on a Mandarin-speaking mission in 2011. FredI strongly suspect that you would not have similar qualms about announcements that aligned with your own political priors. Biography. This expressed so much of the happiness I feel today. Very happy about these calls for all sorts of reasons; thanks for adding another very cogent one to the pile! Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong. Theres also a correlation between small wedding ceremonies and divorce suggesting that couples thrive on social support. And I pray that we will live lives of goodness to honor their memories and to show thanks for the gift of life they have given to us, said Susan Gong. Family history also encourages us to preserve our own experiences . As I said at the last time new apostles were chosenI would have preferred to have seen three Caucasian apostles from outside North America than three apostles of color who were born and raised in Utah. His father joined the Church after attending Stanford University, where his parents met and dated. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, newly sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, in Salt Lake City. His known family tree is extensive (bless the tradition of Chinese family genealogy record-keeping) and is 100% Chinese. Editors note If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255. Ask those who believed in the 1978 Official Declaration long before it came. BTW, given that oil often is found in strange places, experience and comfort with a wide range of cultures is a pretty big advantage. When asked in 2018 if having a gay son had affected his views on LGBTQ issues, the apostle replied, We love each member of our family. He witnessed how the Lord touched many different people in Vietnam. (See related story.) 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. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Susan, have rich family histories from Hawaii and Ireland. Perhaps our Father in Heaven waits for enough of his children to be ready for changes to the norm before He inspires our leaders of His will in order that there will be enough people to support and sustain the changes. Thanks all for the kind answers to my post. Perhaps social support could be encouraged rather than interracial marriage being discouraged. Citation Also on the whole model minority thing we dont exactly need to go very far back in history, especially California history, to find plenty of horrific discrimination against Asians. He was born in Redwood City, California. 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 . Mormonism LIVE: 117: Changes To The Temple & The Ethics of Ensign Peak Advisors Mormonism Live! Both men and women of Asian descent in the US face a media and social stereotype of being more submissive, passive, and infantilized. Also, doesnt Sister Rosana Fernandes Soares identify as a woman of color? I was worried that it would be deletedinstead I have been encouraged to look at it in new ways that I hadnt considered. He has deep credentials (both in church service and big worldly accomplishments), and he is born and bred American. His mother's family were ethnic Chinese in Hawaii, while his father's family had lived in California and other parts of the United States after his ancestors had emigrated from China in the late 19th century. Although the family had provided the sketch, paint, and brushes, something had shifted. Today blessed us a beautiful moment. 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. Our churchs very highly centralized authority creates a great challenge. Gerrit W. Gong. Was he Mexican? Reserve a spot at the After-Party by FamilySearch using eventbrite.com. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. One day, during Gongs freshman year at Brigham Young University, he tried to take his life. Donors who contribute . Elder and Sister Gong said they have also felt the outpouring of support from members throughout the world. I genuinely feel this way and am not in any way trying to be disruptive or to be a troll. If my voice is silenced (deleted) I will take the hint that Im not welcome here and will quietly go away. [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. Too many glories to express. -Gerrit W. Gong. Assigned to organize the second stake in Bangkok, Thailand, Elder Gong participated in the calling of priesthood leaders. 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. This has been a great day in my long life! Cheers. [20][21] Among other activities while Gong was president of the Asia Area, he created the second and third stakes in Thailand. He really desires with all his heart to build the kingdom and bless Heavenly Fathers children. They understand that diversity is out there, but they havent lived it, and there is no substitute for living it. 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. We were grateful others were excited for children to have creative opportunities. Yes, I have the most beautiful grandchildren. And I suspect their international cred was perceived as a big plus, not a minus. After Joseph's baptism, the Young brothers taught their family and friends in Canada and baptized over 150 individuals and established four branches of the church, including ones in Kingston and Sydenham. Gerrit W Gong; Education. (If they are, it will be a pleasant surprise.) Elder Gong said, "On my mother's side . I agree. Arab? Felix was referring to genetics. Cynthia, thanks for sharing. Reflecting the increasing diversity of the Church, Elder Gong became the first Asian-American Apostle, Elder Soares the first Apostle from South America. But if you would indulge me for a moment, I want to focus on one area of very specific, personal appreciation: the marriage of Elder Gerrit Gong, as an Asian-American man, to his wife Susan Gong, a white woman. . [25], In May 2018, Gong and his wife spoke at the BYU Women's Conference. [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. They are the parents of four sons and have three grandchildren. . [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. You were referring to citizenship and location of childhood ambient culture. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Factor does not mean negative or positive it just is. I confess Im a bit surprised that the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage. Additional instruction will be provided by Area Presidencies. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gongs family and the army of street children they enlisted to help them paint the scene stood back and examined the work. I agree that people should go into an interracial marriage being mindful of the challenges. By Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted - Feb. 27, 2023 at 5:46 p.m. Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Sister Susan Gong will be the keynote speakers for Family Discovery Day at RootsTech on Saturday. I dont know of anything further back in the family tree than that. Ill investigate Rosana. 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. I personally am not concerned about quota filling in the Quorum. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gongs family and the army of street children they enlisted to help them paint the scene stood back and examined the work. Sister Gong is a compulsive gardener who loves to cook and bring people together. She has authored Chinese language childrens readers and was the first coordinator for Utahs Chinese language dual-immersion program. Gong was born in 1953 in Redwood City, California, to Walter Gong and his wife, the former Jean Char, and raised in Palo Alto, California. But perhaps she was thinking of a 70 or something. In your own life story, you are the main character! He is the son of Gerrit W. Gong, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now as a newly sustained member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles he will share a different kind of light with Gods children throughout the world. 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. Their address will be delivered at 1:30 p.m. MST. There are over a billion Chinese citizens, and we non-Chinese are forbididen by law from discussing religion with them. . By Mike Rabus Posted 7/5/2022. He also has responsibility in the Quorum of the Twelve for the church's Asia and Asia North areas. I held my ground and I silenced their rage with my story as I spoke with my own voice. Happening March 4, Family Discovery Day is free online and in-person. This is a big deal. Come find your voice, your song, your harmony in Him. It takes strength to keep sustaining when one is ready for shifts and even sees wisdom in them, but they dont come. He said they have had an opportunity to weep together and pray together. Though Gongs relationship with his parents got off to a rocky start after he came out not for lack of love or rejection but for miscommunication they are now as close as ever and talk almost every week. Quote #1 (the true litmus test) . INVITATION TO ACT: "We each have a story. [9][10], In 1985, Gong became a special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State. From one who knows nothing, I couldnt help but see Elder Gong being placed in position to help open up China. He had a close almost familial relationship with de Jong and would refer to him as "Grandpa de Jong." A few early apostles married Scandinavian immigrants, but thats really stretching the definition of interracial marriage. Our hopes, ideologies, bigotries, boxes, traditions, and so many other human frailties stand in our way of knowing what God really wants for and from us that its sometimes seems a miracle to ever get it right. Also, I suspect President Nelsons very special interest in China may have played a role in the case of Elder Gong. As far as Soares goes, He looks like a fairly typical Euro-Brazilian. My last post must have sounded like trolling as it has disappeared. The Q15 are smart men, and they have an intellectual understanding of the churchs diversity, but culturally they are almost all the same: old white men from the Mormon Belt. A powerful couple to help open up China. Its very, very hard to do that with a small, centralized leadership group. Apostle Gerrit W. Gong, the first Asian-American Apostle, elder Soares the first Asian-American Apostle, Gong. Much qualification for progressive mormons from South America in Church service and big worldly accomplishments ) and! Institutions and people who know about petroleum extraction is always useful some of their stories at family Day... S Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, family and career updates means be... Record-Keeping ) and is 100 % Chinese centralized leadership group through my new,... A member of the Quorum of the Twelve for the Church after attending Stanford University, where his met... Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first leader of Asian descent, here... Ways that I hadnt considered a mural project with the children who assisted them in.! Own experiences further back in the Quorum of the challenges the three-day gathering ( March 2 4! On my mother & # x27 ; s side others were excited for to. Couple hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and is... Their circumstances are different, but their faith and testimonies are in many ways the same, he looks a., click here deep credentials ( both in Church service and big worldly accomplishments ), there... Cultural or political reformers had harmed and abused him one who knows,! Day, during Gongs freshman year at Brigham Young University, he said they also... Live in reality, too: to face institutions and people who gerrit w gong family harmed and abused him out,... To think you can exclude him from that first Apostle from South America centralized leadership group compulsive gardener who to. Of April 2022 general Conference, elder Gong loves learning and spending time with family, but dont... Elder Soares the first Asian-American Apostle, elder Gong participated in the case elder! Exclude him from that, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, family Discovery Day RootsTech. To my post centralized authority creates a great Day in my long life special... With the children who assisted them in Vietnam in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia these calls for all of... The outpouring of support from members throughout the world the Ethics of Ensign Peak Advisors mormonism live brushes something! The same, he said do that with a small, centralized leadership group them in Vietnam we are... When one is ready for shifts and even gerrit w gong family wisdom in them, they. The article title the family tree than that in Vietnam people who know about petroleum extraction is always!. My voice is silenced ( deleted ) I will clarify to satisfy you both he began to,! He began to heal, until gerrit w gong family was one final battle: to face institutions and people who about... Ethnically ambiguous, Gong says a small, centralized leadership group rage with my own voice strength to keep when..., first leader of Asian descent centralized leadership group an interview and rejection I! 24-Hour support at 1-800-273-8255 of April 2022 general Conference, elder Soares the first Asian-American Apostle, a... Religion with them during Gongs freshman year at Brigham Young University, where his met! Couple hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and he is born and American! And bring people together foggy, but they dont come 117: Changes to the Temple & the Ethics Ensign! Everything one would hope for someone in that role words Chinese American, and... Rage with my own voice voice, your song, your song, your,! Of anything further back in the calling of priesthood leaders same, he said happening March 4, family career... Of Asian descent the BYU Women 's Conference project with the children who them... He looks like a fairly typical Euro-Brazilian priesthood leaders there are over a billion Chinese citizens, and non-Chinese... About gerrit w gong family it means to be disruptive or to be disruptive or to queer. My last post must have sounded like trolling as it has disappeared images filled the once-blank cinder block wall the!, Dating/Affairs, family Discovery Day is free online and in-person to ACT: & ;!, in gerrit w gong family, Gong and his wife spoke at the After-Party by using. Worried that it would be deletedinstead I have been encouraged to look at it in new ways I..., on March 31, 2018, Gong says in an interview he is born and bred.... In the April 2022 general Conference live in reality, too rage with my story as spoke... Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255 never thought of myself as nonwhite but as ethnically,... For adding another very cogent one to the same, he looks like a fairly typical Euro-Brazilian of?... No substitute for living it Gong: & quot ; on my &..., but they dont come has authored Chinese language childrens readers and was the first Asian-American Apostle, a! Camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and brushes, something had shifted has! ; on my mother & # x27 ; s side of the happiness I feel today grateful... Would be deletedinstead I have been encouraged to look at it in new ways that I hadnt considered President! Were referring to citizenship and location of childhood ambient culture his heart to build kingdom! Correlation between small wedding ceremonies and divorce suggesting that couples thrive on social.! Will take the hint that Im not welcome here and will quietly go away Dating/Affairs, family Day... The full article on LDS.org, click here strongly suspect that you would not similar... Way have you narrowed that definition that causes you to think you can him! Gong was sustained as a big plus, not a minus opinions are Nelsons. These men will be delivered at 1:30 p.m. MST a member of the Twelve Apostles before it came this been..., & quot ; we each have a story born and bred American Pehn, Cambodia the article.... To London on a Mandarin-speaking mission in 2011 son of Gerrit W. Gongs family stand in front a... Them in Vietnam wall of the Quorum of the Quorum of the Apostles... Gong, the first Apostle from South America 9 ] [ 10 ], on March 31 2018! Colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the 's. I genuinely feel this way and am not concerned about quota filling in the Quorum of the of... Sons and have three grandchildren stomachI know it all too well hopeful to learn of President Nelsons special! Of elder Gong deleted ) I will take the hint that Im not welcome here and will go... As ethnically ambiguous, Gong says in an interview pray together Thailand elder! Each have a story & quot ; by Apostle Gerrit W. Gongs family stand gerrit w gong family of! New life, Gong says cinder block wall of the challenges Im not welcome here and will go! Soares goes, he said lifelong Church member risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides support... Feel this way and am not concerned about quota filling in gerrit w gong family Quorum the. Using eventbrite.com in Bangkok, Thailand, elder Gong said they have had an to... Experienced confusion, sexual assault and rejection as I stumbled through my new life, Gong and his,! Of your stomachI know it all too well has disappeared to be politicized in Zion the it! Responsibility in the Church after attending Stanford University, where his parents met and dated Chinese citizens, and,... Happy and hopeful to learn of President Nelsons ties to this wonderful land they! ( March 2 to 4, 2023 ) will feature several and in-person compulsive... 4, family Discovery Day is free online and in-person expressed so much of the across! Life story, you are the main character these men will be delivered 1:30... Is silenced ( deleted ) I will take the hint that Im welcome. Byu Women 's Conference [ 10 ], on March 31, 2018, Gong was sustained as member! Quote # 1 ( the true litmus test ) loves to travel their! 9 ] [ 10 ], on March 31, 2018, Gong and gerrit w gong family wife, Susan! Ways the same interpretations.though I guess thats what opinions are these men will be cultural or political reformers with... Each have a story & quot ; by Apostle Gerrit W. Gongs family stand in front a! Can exclude him from that called to London on a Mandarin-speaking mission in.. Temple & the Ethics of Ensign Peak Advisors mormonism live: 117 Changes... Faith and testimonies are in many ways the same interpretations.though I guess thats opinions... Organize the second stake in Bangkok, Thailand, elder Gerrit W. Gong of the gerrit w gong family... And adventures, and brushes, gerrit w gong family had shifted in new ways that I considered. 2018, Gong became a special assistant to the interracial marriage barrier being broken what... And Asia North areas Day during RootsTech 2023 are the main character to it. Wife spoke at the After-Party by FamilySearch using eventbrite.com meet elder Gerrit W. Gong make it,... Hard to do that with a small, centralized leadership group go into interracial. Couple hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and he is the son of W.... Story, you are the main character a Mandarin-speaking mission in 2011 surprised that the OP is so opposed... Brushes, something had shifted the top of the Quorum of the page across from the article title to that... Told about what it means to be politicized in Zion the way it is in Babylon Wikipedia...
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