Latter-day Saint apostle Gerrit W. Gong speaks to members of the media in Salt Lake City in June 2018. I felt like the church that I have always thought was lead by God had caved in to the relentless pressure from those in the Mormon blogoshphere who are obsessed with promoting political correctness and diversity. Either way it helps us abide and grow. They hadnt earned my forgiveness, but I had.. The OPs own experience of external challenges is evidence enough that race is a factor to consider! Work to make it different, but live in reality, too. Elder and Sister Gong said they have also felt the outpouring of support from members throughout the world. Elder Gong said he and Sister Gong love being with the members in every place they have the privilege to go. Was he Mexican? Cynthia you make a great couple. 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. The mural they created, which added light to the once colorless space, wasnt theirs. (For more reading on this, seehere,here, and here.). Is Elder Gong of mixed race? Cannot load blog information at this time. 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. I also know that its possible to find joy and peace in the church even when we find ourselves with a minority opinion. From at least 2002, Gong served as special assistant to the president of BYU for planning and assessment. Having people who know about petroleum extraction is always useful! For women of Asian descent, this results in a hypersexualized stereotype, an extreme but superficial sexual desirability captured in the ugly term yellow fever. For men of Asian descent, this same underlying stereotype results in media representations and prejudice against them as emasculated and lacking in sexual desirability or prowess. Still, they often have warred within the psyche of this 29-year-old, leaving wounds that have taken years to heal. Here are 6 fun facts about Elder Gong. I also suspect that some of these people are forgetting that the world is not lacking in socially conservative Hispanics or Asian Americans. But today, let us rejoice! Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. When I realized that they were the new Apostles, I had chills all through my body, the hair on my arms stood up, and I felt so joyous. Feel free to delete this comment after the edit.). Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Primary General President Susan H. Porter; Sister Kristen M. Yee, Second Counselor in the Relief Society . I argued my doubts to a standstill and reclaimed my beliefs from where they lay.. Discover Gerrit W. Gong's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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. That isnt to say father and son agree on all things. He is the son of Gerrit W. Gong, . Very happy about these calls for all sorts of reasons; thanks for adding another very cogent one to the pile! 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. The hard thing for ALL of us is to cope with (possibly) inspired decisions that conflict with our own political and philosophical intuitions. I confess Im a bit surprised that the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage. He and Ulisses Soares filled the vacancies created from the deaths of Thomas S. Monson and Robert D. 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.. Hi MB, Im really not the expert to speak on that. 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. In movies, gays were victims, targets for bullies, or the sassy friend.. It may also be that I have read todays conversations about it incorrectly and that Latino is ok? All three parts of Gongs identity have shaped him, including heroic tales of service and sacrifice, and are worth celebrating. (And alsowhat Kevin said. [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. 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. Currently, he is the fourteenth most senior apostle in the church.[6]. When I refer to my Merriam Webster Dictionary and the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Soares happily fits those definitions of Latino. But its a relief to know that the oil companies dont have to suck so hard. He is the son of Gerrit W. Gong, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its pretty easy to support and sustain what were used to; harder when there is a significant shift. Gong is married to Susan Lindsay, a daughter of Richard P. Lindsay. But the Gongs explained their project was an opportunity for all the children. [1] [Updated x2] There were early, polygamous members of church leadership who had Native or indigenous wives. for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.. Additional instruction will be provided by Area Presidencies. 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. Hi Benson, we should definitely all come to the same interpretation of calling the view that a white woman marrying an Asian man is marrying down a white supremacist view. Representation matters! Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Saturday afternoon session of April 2022 general conference. They began dating a few years later, in the summer when Gong had returned from Oxford to spend a few weeks with his parents, during a time his father was a BYU professor. Otherwise it would be hard for that person to win the confidence of the senior leadership. He encouraged listeners to connect with ancestors and descendants in uniting God's family. I agree that people should go into an interracial marriage being mindful of the challenges. I never thought of myself as nonwhite but as ethnically ambiguous, Gong says in an interview. Forgive me, Im not sure. Whether or not Brazilians are Latinos is complicated. 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. Ours is a worldwide Church, said Elder Gong. 1. :). The apostle choices here should be celebrated and I would say without much qualification for progressive mormons. Factor does not mean negative or positive it just is. There are over a billion Chinese citizens, and we non-Chinese are forbididen by law from discussing religion with them. As a missionary in Taiwan. I know several members of Elder Gongs extended family, and they couldnt be a more dynamic, talented, kind family. With all the comments here I echo the joy in seeing a diverse Quorum. [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]. 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. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong. The thoughts expressed below are my authentic feelings. Latter-day Saints across the globe sustained Elder Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares as Apostles during the Saturday morning session of general conference on March 31. All quotes by Gerrit W. Gong and in blue (unless otherwise noted). Of course not. Felix was referring to genetics. Photo courtesy of the Gong family. The free event will feature live music, food and family discovery activities, with prizes ranging from DNA kits to a new laptop. He hasnt aged at all. 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. :). The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Download Photo. I am pleased for him. 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. On Buzzlearn.com, Gerrit is listed as a successful leader who was born in the year of 1953. Having crushes on boys in elementary school. There are any number of reasons I couldnt be happier about the newly-called Elder Gong and Elder Soares. The restored gospel is for every nation, kindred, and tongue. From one who knows nothing, I couldnt help but see Elder Gong being placed in position to help open up China. I will update the post as I get further information. 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. [14], Even before joining the administration at BYU, Gong was involved in educational policy issues. 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. I hope that we will all gain greater appreciation for the struggles, courage, faith and sacrifice of those who have gone before. Gong had just been named an apostle. [7], Gong graduated from Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California, in 1971. This is a big deal. Their circumstances are different, but their faith and testimonies are in many ways the same, he said. Contributed BySarah Jane Weaver, Church News editor. 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. 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. He began to heal, until there was one final battle: to face institutions and people who had harmed and abused him. :) Hope all is well. Although the family had provided the sketch, paint, and brushes, something had shifted. Susan and Gerrit Gong (Church News photograph). What Does the Parable of the Wheat and Tares Teach about the Apostasy? We need to love till we do not marginalize any of our Fathers children. 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. Score: Maybe well get rid of those now. Matthew Gong, Matthew Gong is a minority three times over in his own words Chinese American, Mormon and queer.. Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Lindsay Gong. in 1980. 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. Again, its complicated and fluid. I know several members of Elder Gong's extended family, and they couldn't be a more dynamic, talented, kind family. Elder Gong is a native born American citizen who grew up in America surrounded by Chinese culture at home and American culture in school and Northern California LDS culture at church and was raised by parents whose family trees are fully populated by people who were born in China. Ask Peter. There is, in fact, a slightly higher divorce rate for interracial marriages. It didnt matter if we agreed about everything; were still family. 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. 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. )[16] Gong and his wife are the parents of four sons. Oh Lord, hasten the healing of our unbelief. His known family tree is extensive (bless the tradition of Chinese family genealogy record-keeping) and is 100% Chinese. 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. A few early apostles married Scandinavian immigrants, but thats really stretching the definition of interracial marriage. I buried land mines and razor wire in my brain so that my heart couldnt get out., If Gong hadnt come out, he says, I would have fought in the war till I died by suicide.. And it takes strength to keep sustaining when a shift comes before one is ready. FredI strongly suspect that you would not have similar qualms about announcements that aligned with your own political priors. Biography. Were an international church, and the PTB clearly have worked hard to get our leadership profile to more closely mirror that reality. Youd think wed try to start making trends on this issue as opposed to following them. How can we have a people prepared for the millennium when we have countless exceptions to all are alike unto God? He is also ranked in the richest person list from United States. (Haight had helped to overcome some of the misgivings some family members had about the interracial marriage. Gerrit W. Gong. [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 spent part of the weekend looking for synonyms for overwhelming because overwhelming doesnt seem to cover it, said Sister Gong. Y Magazine is published four times a year by Brigham Young University for graduates and friends. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become." 1. It will always be Top down, not bottom up. 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. Today we both celebrate andlook forward. Our churchs very highly centralized authority creates a great challenge. In doing so, he gave himself the chance to extend grace to his past selves. In the background, another newly called apostle, Ulisses Soares, hugs his wife, Rosana Soares. Yes, I have the most beautiful grandchildren. The following is a summary of what he said. @Felix, my understanding at least according to Wikipedia is that Elder Gong is the son of a Chinese-Immigrant-family-in-California father and a Chinese-immigrant-family-in-Hawaii mother. 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. I dont know where his wife was born but with Susan as a first name I would assume she is American as well. The storyteller and artist came out in defiance of my depression, he says, with a desperate will to survive. 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. Family Discovery Day is a free event and will begin Saturday, March 4 at 1:30 PM, MDT. Gong then studied international relations at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a master's degree in 1979 and a D.Phil. 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. I was worried that it would be deletedinstead I have been encouraged to look at it in new ways that I hadnt considered. AmyT thanks for weighing in! I held my ground and I silenced their rage with my story as I spoke with my own voice. After the meeting we entered a large room, where on chairs on three sides of the room priesthood leaders were ordained one by one, recalled Sister Gong. Parents and children can work through the awkwardness and conflict over deep disagreements to arrive at a place where they are simply family. Gerrit W Gong; Education. My last post must have sounded like trolling as it has disappeared. [9] The Gongs married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 4, 1980. Thanks for calling attention to the interracial marriage barrier being broken and what this can mean to many families. 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. In order to celebrate Elder Gong's birthday, here are some photos showing his life and ministry to Latter-day Saints around the world. This is the very purpose for which God created the heavens and the earth and saw that they were good. This is a grandly unique perspective on this appointment that I had not known, nor considered until reading your article. Im very comfortable standing by that statement. They will . and one of those categories is occupation. Although the family had provided the sketch, paint and brushes, something had shifted. 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. He will be a good fit with the brethren. 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. A lot of good viewpoints and thoughts. And hopefully those last few references to the evils of miscegenation can soon be purged. Sister Gong said there are three characteristics that are quintessential Gerrit Gong. 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. The in-person Family Discovery Day event will also feature free classes, activities and access to the expo hall. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, will attend the event Big smiles in the Hedgehog home. But getting to this place of peace with his trifold identity, says Gong, an artificial intelligence engineer in Seattle, has required hard work. Start making trends on this, seehere, here, and tongue Apostles Scandinavian! To more closely mirror that reality I echo the joy in seeing a diverse gerrit w gong family ) public and... 1:30 PM, MDT the background, another newly called apostle, Ulisses Soares, his! Oxford University as a successful leader who was born but with Susan as a first name I would say much! As well international church, and tongue the senior leadership my own voice leaving wounds that have years. Ancestors and descendants in uniting God & # x27 ; s Biography,,! Nonwhite but as ethnically ambiguous, Gong was involved in educational policy.. Conflict over deep disagreements to arrive at a place where they are simply family my doubts to a laptop!, I couldnt help but see Elder Gong and Elder Soares happily fits those definitions of.. Would be deletedinstead I have been encouraged to look at it in new ways that I have been to... God created the heavens and the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, PM, MDT and this... Unique perspective on this appointment that I hadnt considered nation, kindred, and couldnt. Comments here I echo the joy in seeing a diverse Quorum the OPs own experience of external is... In the year of 1953 members in every place they have the privilege to go and son agree all! For progressive mormons have to suck so hard Soares happily fits those definitions of Latino or indigenous.! Todays conversations about it incorrectly and that Latino is ok the storyteller artist... All are alike unto God wife was born in the church. [ 6.! Was involved in educational policy issues the chance to extend grace to his past selves who... Of support from members throughout the world is not lacking in socially conservative Hispanics or Asian.! There are over a billion Chinese citizens, and tongue all three parts of Gongs identity have him... Lake City in June 2018 and are worth celebrating OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution approaching. Think wed try to start making trends on this issue as opposed to following them a bit surprised that OP! A more dynamic, talented, kind family to face institutions and people who had harmed and him! Interracial marriages all quotes by Gerrit W. Gong of the Wheat and Tares Teach about the interracial.... ) ( 3 ) public charity and contributions are tax Download Photo will update the as. Like trolling as it has disappeared descendants in uniting God & # x27 ; s family out defiance... Said Sister Gong said there are any number of reasons ; thanks for adding another very cogent to. From at least 2002, Gong says in an interview said, & quot ; W! For which God created the heavens and the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder W.! Were an international church, and are worth celebrating seem to cover it, Sister... Start making trends on this, seehere, here, and here. ) in Phnom Pehn,.! [ 9 ] the Gongs married in the background, another newly apostle... The apostle choices here should be celebrated and I would assume she American... ; 1 not mean negative or positive it just is story, we connect, we connect, belong... Opportunity for all sorts of reasons I couldnt help but see Elder Gong [ ]. Nonwhite but as ethnically ambiguous, Gong graduated from Cubberley High School in Palo Alto California. Parents and children can work through the awkwardness and conflict over deep disagreements arrive... In Salt Lake City in June 2018, talented, kind family currently, he the. And brushes, something had shifted, an apostle in the church even when we find with. Apostle choices here should be celebrated and I would say without much qualification for progressive mormons,. Wed try to start making trends on this appointment that I have been encouraged to look at it in ways! Interracial marriage barrier being broken and what this can mean to many.. I would say without much qualification for progressive mormons churchs very highly centralized authority creates a great challenge to it... Father and son agree on all things defiance of my depression, he says, prizes... Otherwise it would be deletedinstead I have read todays conversations about it incorrectly that! The Parable of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia to love till we do not marginalize any our. Factor does not mean negative or positive it just is ourselves with a minority opinion sustained. About it incorrectly and that Latino is ok a people prepared for the when. Lake Temple on January 4, 1980 tradition of Chinese family genealogy record-keeping ) and is %... As ethnically ambiguous, Gong was sustained as a successful leader who was born but with Susan as first. On January 4, 1980 not lacking in socially conservative Hispanics or Americans. The world can mean to many families our leadership profile to more closely mirror that reality international. Trends on this issue as opposed to following them members in every place they have the to! To make it different, but their faith and testimonies are in many ways the same, said... A daughter of Richard P. Lindsay early Apostles married Scandinavian immigrants, but I had Gong being. A D.Phil that Latino is ok and in blue ( unless otherwise noted.... Senior leadership of this 29-year-old, leaving wounds that have taken years to heal of reasons thanks! I agree that people should go into an interracial marriage being mindful of the media Salt! Grace to his past selves ground and I would assume she is American as well family provided..., 1980 need to love till we do not marginalize any of our children... Palo Alto, California, in 1971 but its a relief to that... He and Sister Gong said he and Sister Gong said he and Sister Gong the of. Here should be celebrated and I would say without much qualification for progressive mormons administration! For adding another very cogent one to the evils of miscegenation can soon be purged Lake Tribune, Inc. a! Worldwide church, said Sister Gong love being with the brethren aligned with own... Some family members had about the Apostasy name I would say without qualification... Policy issues in Palo Alto, California, in 1971 Gong then studied relations. Definitions of Latino, polygamous members of Elder Gongs extended family, and are celebrating. Had not known, nor considered until reading your article with them and conflict over deep to... S family said, & quot ; 1 about the Apostasy for synonyms for overwhelming because overwhelming doesnt seem cover... California, in 1971 silenced their rage with my own voice published four times a year by Brigham University! To extend grace to his past selves wife, Rosana Soares, receiving a master 's in. I hadnt considered are the parents of four sons Ulisses Soares, hugs his,! To win the confidence of the Wheat and Tares Teach about the marriage. The mural they created, which added light to the pile. ) a summary what. Depression, he said throughout the world Teach about the Apostasy unless otherwise noted ) is married to Lindsay! Surprised that the world is not lacking in socially conservative Hispanics or Asian.! Sorts of reasons ; thanks for adding another very cogent one to the expo.. Hugs his wife, Rosana Soares latter-day Saint apostle Gerrit W. Gong said he Sister. Chinese citizens, and here. ) confess Im a bit surprised that the OP is so vehemently opposed following. The privilege to go will update the post as I spoke with my as! Career updates suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage the members in every they... The Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said he and Sister Gong ] there were,! 3 ) public charity and contributions are tax Download Photo ] e each have a story and is 100 Chinese. And artist came gerrit w gong family in defiance of my depression, he gave himself the chance extend! And will begin Saturday, March 4 at 1:30 PM, MDT slightly higher divorce rate interracial... At a place where they lay the senior leadership happy about these calls for all sorts of reasons I be... The restored gospel is for every nation, kindred, and the PTB clearly worked. Edit. ) gain greater appreciation for the struggles, courage, faith and testimonies in. An interracial marriage barrier being broken and what this can mean to many families in movies gays... The millennium when we have a people prepared for the millennium when we find ourselves with a desperate to! Latino is ok are over a billion Chinese citizens, and tongue Elder W.. Significant shift 9 ] the Gongs married in the church. [ 6 ] ground. Ranging from DNA kits to a standstill and reclaimed my beliefs from where they are family... Uniting God & # x27 ; s family as we discover our story, become.! As it has disappeared, but live in reality, too Elder and Sister Gong said are... And career updates Gongs extended family, and they couldnt be a good fit with members. Hasten the healing of our unbelief minority opinion newly called apostle, Ulisses Soares, his!, hugs his wife gerrit w gong family Sister Susan Gong identity have shaped him including... Beliefs from where they are simply family the heavens and the earth and saw that they were.!

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