He also on occasion continued to travel to Asia, such as being present for the official recognition of the LDS Church in Vietnam. Here are 6 fun facts about Elder Gong. The in-person Family Discovery Day event will also feature free classes, activities and access to the expo hall. I hope that we will each make an effort to discover our own family stories, to record them and to share them with our children and grandchildren. Although it is 2018 and one would hope the simple fact of an apostle in a interracial marriage wouldnt be abig dealanymore, it is. Cynthia you make a great couple. 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. Although the character of the racism people of Asian descent experience in the US is very different from what Latinx and black people face, and the significance of that should not be minimized, it is still racism. And hopefully those last few references to the evils of miscegenation can soon be purged. I thought the image was beautiful and so when I came out, I clung to the idea that I was somehow like the poppies.. 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. Their address will be delivered at 1:30 p.m. MST. We were grateful others were excited for children to have creative opportunities.. 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. Ours is a worldwide Church, said Elder Gong. Today we both celebrate andlook forward. I know several members of Elder Gongs extended family, and they couldnt be a more dynamic, talented, kind family. 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. "Ours is a worldwide Church. I dont know how it came to us; it just did, said Sister Susan Gong. Mica Nicole is sure she had encountered one but was out and about and couldnt recall the specifics for me. Im sorry for that feeling in the pit of your stomachI know it all too well. :). 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. 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.. All quotes by Gerrit W. Gong and in blue (unless otherwise noted). All rights reserved. He witnessed how the Lord touched many different people in Vietnam. (See related story.) Photo courtesy of the Gong family. Youve given me something to ponder this afternoon. Put On Thy Strength, O Zion. My heart ached also for Elder Gong and Elder Soares as I realized that they too probably wonder if their call came from God or if they are token minorities in a corporation that has to factor in the opinions and philosophies of the world in its decision making. He is also ranked in the richest person list from United States. Joseph W. Sitati. Ask Peter. 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. But today, let us rejoice! Currently, he is the fourteenth most senior apostle in the church.[6]. But beyond the particulars of Gongs experience, his story has a universal message of normalcy. they wondered. The couple hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and loves to travel with their sons. 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. Even though there are many things we dont understand, we know in Gods plan theres a place for every person in [the church].. Youd think wed try to start making trends on this issue as opposed to following them. He said they have had an opportunity to weep together and pray together. That isnt to say father and son agree on all things. I experienced confusion, sexual assault and rejection as I stumbled through my new life, Gong says. Why does ethnicity have to be politicized in Zion the way it is in Babylon? 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. Such ties can bring help from the other side of the veil." Gerrit W. Gong We Each Have a Story "If you want a happier family, create, refine and retell the story of your family's positive moments and your ability to bounce back from the difficult ones. 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. Review of "We Each Have a Story" by Apostle Gerrit W. Gong. Thoughts of not having that became unbearable, he says, and so he repressed them. 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. Arent we missing that All are alike unto God? John. 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. It depends. They will . Either way it helps us abide and grow. Even if you werent aware of all these nuances, youve probably absorbed from US culture the idea that its more normal or expected for a woman of Asian descent to be married to a white man, than for a white woman to be married to a man of Asian descent. 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. You were referring to citizenship and location of childhood ambient culture. Next I would really love for Adam and Eve in the temple videos to be an interracial couple. Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. Gong reflects on September 11th and reviews perspectives on war. I confess Im a bit surprised that the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage. (Rick Egan | Tribune file photo) The 2023 Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints premieres online on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Elder and Sister Gong's presentation will be broadcast on Saturday . That was later postponed indefinitely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. [8] He graduated from BYU in 1977 with a bachelor of arts. Gerrit W Gong; Education. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of April 2022 general conference. No accent here! Then whatever is revealed is always so outside a lot of peoples realm of what, who, or how things should be that murmuring is inevitable. There is joy and warmth as my boyfriend pulls me close for a hug, and I marvel at the easy laughs and unqualified smiles that we share as we sit on the couch watching TV., There is celebration, he says, in my families of both queer and of birth., Though Gong still claims aspects of Mormonism in his spirituality, he has added theistic Taoism, Zen Buddhism and any parts of a religion that seem resonant civility, care, forgiveness, treating humans with dignity and compassion., He learned those principles from growing up Mormon, he says, but they are not unique to the church., The churchs patterns and behaviors of abuse, he says, dont have to be there; they are not inherent in the doctrine.. Which is empowering to those of us not necessarily agitating for change but asking sincere questions. Saints See New Apostles as Symbol of Church Growth, Diversity, Meet Elder Soares: Committed to Serve and Testify Worldwide. Susan is other-oriented and down-to-earth wherever she is, said Elder Gong. I dont know of anything further back in the family tree than that. We were grateful others were excited for children to have creative opportunities. But sucking it out by reducing the surface pressure below 14.7 psi wont accomplish much. Da de descubrimiento familiar: lder y hermana Gong. Anyone who thinks otherwise is giving themselves a little too much credit. Was he Mexican? Fred: and that is the value of diversity, across every possible category. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gongs family stand in front of a mural project with the children who assisted them in Vietnam. Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Lindsay Gong. [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. The choices you make will determine what happens in the "plot" of your life, and education can have a big impact. Steven J. Lund. On my mission, I learned that the first things to grow on the battlefields of France after World War I, were poppies, blood-red poppies, Gong tells the Affirmation virtual audience. Elder Gong said everywhere they go, people relate to Sister Gong. One is Jacob Hamblin, often nicknamed Buckskin Apostle, though he was not actually part of the Twelve. That our interactions would be nitpicked to brand us as avatars of ideologies, Gong writes on a Facebook post. Elder Gerrit W. Gong was born on December 23, 1953, in California. There are over a billion Chinese citizens, and we non-Chinese are forbididen by law from discussing religion with them. Cautioning against interracial marriage on the grounds of it being challenging seems to contradict every Relief Society lesson Ive sat through about overcoming differences in a marriage. 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. Reserve a spot at the After-Party by FamilySearch using eventbrite.com. His known family tree is extensive (bless the tradition of Chinese family genealogy record-keeping) and is 100% Chinese. It didnt matter if we agreed about everything; were still family. Term ended by removal of apostleship; was later excommunicated. -Gerrit W. Gong. 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. * I can attest that there are challenges inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage, but there are challenges in every marriage. He looks part white to me. Pressure from Mormon Blogosphere/Political Correctness: 0. I was worried that it would be deletedinstead I have been encouraged to look at it in new ways that I hadnt considered. [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. I am pleased for him. I dont know why some would feel the way you did and some the way I did, but thank you for sharing and also maintaining respect for those who felt differently. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become." 1. I will update the post as I get further information. Gong had the same dreams as other young Latter-day Saints, serving in callings with a wife and children, and spending eternity in heaven with his family. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. Thank you, Cynthia, for your poignant thoughts. Instead, the purpose of . [26], In May 2019, Gong and his wife accompanied Russell M. Nelson and his wife on a ministry tour to the Pacific region. He began to heal, until there was one final battle: to face institutions and people who had harmed and abused him. On Buzzlearn.com, Gerrit is listed as a successful leader who was born in the year of 1953. The LDS Brazilians I know are adamant that they are of European descent and that they are not Latino. And I suspect their international cred was perceived as a big plus, not a minus. Shout out to Jusok. Some of the activities include a throw-back photo challenge, family history Twister, family selfie station and a giant family tree. By that, I mean, sure hes of Asian decent, but he is still the same mold as all the other GAs/Apostles. I agree. He will be a good fit with the brethren. However, I think that making leadership more diverse is almost certain to be a liberalizing influence over the long term. 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. Score: Just start with the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese Internment. July 10, 2022. Im thrilled by the picks, but I seriously doubt they had anything g to do with me or others like me. He is the son of Gerrit W. Gong, . His first name is "Gerrit" and his last name is . Hemos detectado que ests en un navegador no compatible. INVITATION TO ACT: "We each have a story. 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. Lasting Discipleship. If that makes me bad/wrong, then so be it. STE 1058, Provo, UT 84601, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, wife to keynote RootsTech Family Discovery Day. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. I confronted and broke down the lies I had been told about what it means to be queer. . Maybe well get rid of those now. (BTW its Brazilian with one l, not Brazillian with two. I am just grateful to know that this comes one day at a time and that when you are on the Lords errand, you receive the Lords help. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax 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. If the supposed universal differences between men and women are assets in a marriage, why not differences in race? Ask those who believed in the 1978 Official Declaration long before it came. That is something the Gongs also learned from the children involved in their mural projects, undertaken during the Christmas season. I was never so different [that] I couldnt be potentially included.. President (now Elder) Uchtdorf is a wonderful man on his own merits, but I truly feel like a lot of his perspective comes from his background and upbringing. But you probably didnt know how cool it was. 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