He was born in Redwood City, California. What Does the Parable of the Wheat and Tares Teach about the Apostasy? 2003 Apr 1;101(7):2850-7. [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. Mental Health Minute: Who is Driving the Bus. Too many glories to express. I confronted and broke down the lies I had been told about what it means to be queer. :). Elder Gerrit W. Gong's talk from the April 2022 general conference was all about family history, and it gave us lots of good insights. Maybe well get rid of those now. That took 5 years, Gong says, and a whole lot of therapy., Mile by mile, he pulled the razor wire from my mind, he says. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, will attend the event However, much discussion among leading historians of Mormonism has so far failed to turn up any examples of an interracial marriage in the Twelve. Ours is a worldwide Church, said Elder Gong. 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. Cheers. His fear was that people would politicize me and my dad. I held my ground and I silenced their rage with my story as I spoke with my own voice. 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. I suspect that beneath much of the positive chatter Im hearing about these two appointments is the belief that these men will somehow bring more than just racial diversity to church government. The three-day gathering (March 2 to 4, 2023) will feature several . Thanks, New Iconoclast. 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. And Fred, it is interesting to me your physiological response to their call. Im sorry for that feeling in the pit of your stomachI know it all too well. [9][10], In 1985, Gong became a special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State. Enter your email address to follow BCC and receive new posts by email. Oh Lord, hasten the healing of our unbelief. Loursat wrote: I dont expect that these men will be cultural or political reformers.. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, will also be featured at the conference as keynote speakers on Family Discovery Day the last day of the conference focused on making connections and celebrating family heritage. Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Lindsay Gong. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become." 1. My white cousin married a Korean woman and lived in Korea for several years. For, say, a company whose mission is to suck oil out of the earth wherever possible, super-centralized leadership is not much of a problem; an organization like that just has to know how to focus its financial and political power like a laser, and acting at times like a steamroller is part of the game. I also know that its possible to find joy and peace in the church even when we find ourselves with a minority opinion. Thanks all for the kind answers to my post. FredI strongly suspect that you would not have similar qualms about announcements that aligned with your own political priors. 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 . Because my story is happening publicly at the highest levels of the church, people ascribe extra meaning to it, he says in the interview, but from within the story, it feels like a typical narrative., The apostle and the queer son are just family, Gong repeats. Beyond the symbolic impact (which is important) no one should expect there will be much short or medium term impacts, but in 20 years when they become senior apostles there might be some hope of more open minds outside of the US conservative/Utah experience. (Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) Were an international church, and the PTB clearly have worked hard to get our leadership profile to more closely mirror that reality. 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. Reading through all the comments has been interesting. Meet Elder Gerrit W. Gong: "Unfailingly Kind" Family Man. Connecting with God and to one another is so important. Gerrit W. Gong. Elder Gongs parents, both professional teachers, collectively spent more than 70 years in the classroom. Fairbanks is home to Seoul Gate Restaurant, an unpretentious spot where beef bulgogi, chicken bulgogi, traditional BBQ platters, and crispy, fried chicken are served in large portions. He is the son of Gerrit W. Gong, . (Haight had helped to overcome some of the misgivings some family members had about the interracial marriage. Their circumstances are different, but their faith and testimonies are in many ways the same, he said. What I hope for is a group that comes from different cultural backgrounds that can consider and represent a worldwide church. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, the first Asian-American Apostle, is a faithful lifelong Church member. The thoughts expressed below are my authentic feelings. INVITATION TO ACT: "We each have a story. We need more voices that reflect the churchs greatness in diversity. Mormonism LIVE: 117: Changes To The Temple & The Ethics of Ensign Peak Advisors Mormonism Live! [20][21] Among other activities while Gong was president of the Asia Area, he created the second and third stakes in Thailand. Gong then studied international relations at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a master's degree in 1979 and a D.Phil. This is a grandly unique perspective on this appointment that I had not known, nor considered until reading your article. 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. As someone interested in the photographic impact of light, color, composition, and moment, Elder Gong imagines the childrenand others like them in Nepal, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Utahenjoying the space. They understand that diversity is out there, but they havent lived it, and there is no substitute for living it. The authors presentation assumes an intellectual supremacy that we all should come to the same interpretations.though I guess thats what opinions are. We were grateful others were excited for children to have creative opportunities. And definitely in Brazil Soares would be considered white. Im excited for Elder Soares calling as are my Brazilian friends in our ward here in Brazil. 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. The annual genealogical convention being held this year from March 2-4 at the Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple in Salt Lake City, and open to virtual and in-person visitors features special keynote speakers, classes and an expo of family research merchandise. He encouraged listeners to connect with ancestors and descendants in uniting God's family. Five Frameworks on Iraq. In the Saturday afternoon session of the April 2022 general conference, Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a talk titled "We Each Have a Story" in which he encouraged his listeners to work on their family history. and one of those categories is occupation. David A. Bednar. I can also attest that there are benefits inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Brazilian members of the Church make up over 8% of the total church membership (as of just over a year ago). We feel the need to be compassionate to all. I believe inspiration comes to those who seek, as does revelation-like who to call to be apostles. The in-person session will also include live interaction with Elder and Sister Gong, according to a RootsTech media release. . Hi MB, Im really not the expert to speak on that. I believe the Lord uses those who have specific skills to move His church forward.and Sister Gong is fluent in Mandarin. Their children had a hard time in Korean schools because of the round eyes. Does that mean they never should have gotten married? I dont know how it came to us; it just did, said Sister Susan Gong. Having crushes on boys in elementary school. Again, its complicated and fluid. The couple hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and loves to travel with their sons. Work to make it different, but live in reality, too. More than anything he is American. 31 October 2021 by Gerrit W. Gong 16,100 sq ft (1,500 m 2) on a 7.7-acre (3.1 ha) site Prior to becoming a general authority, Gong served in the church as a stake Sunday School president, high councilor, seminary teacher, bishop, stake president, and area seventy. My last post must have sounded like trolling as it has disappeared. [24], On March 31, 2018, Gong was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Download Photo. In the April 2022 General Conference, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said, " [W]e each have a story. 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. Copyright Daily Herald | www.heraldextra.com | 1200 Towne Centre Blvd. Family history also encourages us to preserve our own experiences . Even in this day and age I meet members who view interracial marriages and relationships in a negative light. Fairbanks. Learn more about guidelines and necessary forms. He had a close almost familial relationship with de Jong and would refer to him as "Grandpa de Jong." 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. Their address will be delivered at 1:30 p.m. MST. Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. Brazilians, in the USA, dont like getting lumped in with latinos. That isnt to say father and son agree on all things. Cynthia you make a great couple. 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. Every member of the Gong family had a special role in the project, from creating the sketch to mixing the paint to organizing the children. 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. Also, doesnt Sister Rosana Fernandes Soares identify as a woman of color? Shout out to Jusok. Gong is married to Susan Lindsay, a daughter of Richard P. Lindsay. Donors who contribute . [23] Among his assignments while in the Presidency of the Seventy, Gong served on the Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees, where he also served as a member of its executive committee. This means that Gong is the first member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a multi-racial marriage. The mural they created, which added light to the once colorless space, wasnt theirs. I thought the image was beautiful and so when I came out, I clung to the idea that I was somehow like the poppies.. Hemos detectado que ests en un navegador no compatible. Two, he is interested in everything, which makes him a fascinating person to live with. There are both benefits and penalties to being racially mixed. Of course not. 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. [38] On October 16, the church announced that he and his wife had successfully completed their quarantines, and that Gong had been cleared by his doctors to resume his regular assignments the following week.[38]. [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. Im also the white half of an interracial marriage. [27][28][29][30], In November 2019, Gong presided over a worldwide broadcast that announced the LDS Church's new youth program. Youve given me something to ponder this afternoon. 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 will be a good fit with the brethren. [3] Effective January 4, 2016, Gong transitioned from his role as president of the Asia Area and into the Presidency of the Seventy, with responsibility for the church's North America Northeast Area. Quote #1 (the true litmus test) . I dont know how it came to us; it just did, said Sister Susan Gong. 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. 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. Lasting Discipleship. Im grateful for that for me, but Im terribly sorry for anyone who has had to endure those remarks. I have personally experienced stinging examples of this bias: confusion about our children, surprise about us being together, and even comments along the lines that I did it backwards by being a white woman married to my Korean-American husband. The restored gospel is for every nation, kindred, and tongue. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I spent part of the weekend looking for synonyms for overwhelming because overwhelming doesnt seem to cover it, said Sister Gong. Ties with ancestors increase family closeness, gratitude, miracles. Felix and Carolyn, First hand knowledge here. I have five other children that have married Caucasians as well. Photo courtesy of the Gong family. Reflecting the increasing diversity of the Church, Elder Gong became the first Asian-American Apostle, Elder Soares the first Apostle from South America. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gongs family stand in front of a mural project with the children who assisted them in Vietnam. 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]. Oh goodness. Susan and Gerrit Gong (Church News photograph). He had a close almost familial relationship with de Jong and would refer to him as "Grandpa de Jong." Elder Gong said he and Sister Gong love being with the members in every place they have the privilege to go. 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. Felix was referring to genetics. Once ordained they joined the growing circle of priesthood power.. Parents and children can work through the awkwardness and conflict over deep disagreements to arrive at a place where they are simply family. Well, my point was that the churchs mission requires deep, sensitive and reciprocal engagement with all of the worlds cultures in a way that most commercial organizations do not. Either way it helps us abide and grow. Thanks for calling attention to the interracial marriage barrier being broken and what this can mean to many families. Citation The greatest Mormon blog in the universe. People dont know their own blind spots until theyre pointed out to them. They will . Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Susan, participate in a Christmas mural project in Vietnam. Gong had just been named an apostle. Anyone who thinks otherwise is giving themselves a little too much credit. 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. Bensen, recounting your personal experience with a few interracial marriages in [your] own family and supposing you can generalize from those experiences with those few particular people to arrive at broad statements about how race functions in marriage is, at the very least, a trifle naive. Its also more than a trifle condescending, considering that youre trying to correct someone who has actual first-hand experience of the potential issues youre describing. The in-person Family Discovery Day event will also feature free classes, activities and access to the expo hall. 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