Is Elder Gong of mixed race? Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. What Does the Parable of the Wheat and Tares Teach about the Apostasy? 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. Additional instruction will be provided by Area Presidencies. Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Lindsay Gong. Blood. "Ours is a worldwide Church. Quote #1 (the true litmus test) . So, when I talk about the Church, I mean the Church. When I talk about my father, hes just my father.. [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]. STE 1058, Provo, UT 84601, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, wife to keynote RootsTech Family Discovery Day. By that, I mean, sure hes of Asian decent, but he is still the same mold as all the other GAs/Apostles. (Courtesy photo by Ryan Di Spaltro) The apostle choices here should be celebrated and I would say without much qualification for progressive mormons. Its disingenuous to portray the Churchs historic concern with inter-racial marriages as a simple matter of possible incompatibility. Having people who know about petroleum extraction is always useful! People dont know their own blind spots until theyre pointed out to them. Revelation: 2 All three parts of Gongs identity have shaped him, including heroic tales of service and sacrifice, and are worth celebrating. If I were to see him on the street, I would definitely think, (sorry for the non-PC stereotype) white-guy. 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. I experienced confusion, sexual assault and rejection as I stumbled through my new life, Gong says. Yet in this case and always the Lord calls his Apostles. Ties with ancestors increase family closeness, gratitude, miracles. 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. Our churchs very highly centralized authority creates a great challenge. As he said, "We each have a story.". (Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) This is a big deal. Brazilians, in the USA, dont like getting lumped in with latinos. I also rejoice in the callings of Elder Gong and Elder Soares. Elder and Sister Gong's presentation will be broadcast on Saturday . In doing so, he gave himself the chance to extend grace to his past selves. He encouraged listeners to connect with ancestors and descendants in uniting God's family. I was never so different [that] I couldnt be potentially included.. Its just good to have people from outside of the Western US. Elder Gong said everywhere they go, people relate to Sister Gong. I agree. That is something the Gongs also learned from the children involved in their mural projects, undertaken during the Christmas season. Cynthia, Four of my children have married half mixed spouses, two half Japanese and two half Hispanic in Utah. Shes everything one would hope for someone in that role. My wife is Japanese and Im Puerto Rican, whoop dee doo. 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. :). :). 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. He was called to London on a Mandarin-speaking mission in 2011. The greatest Mormon blog in the universe. We need to love till we do not marginalize any of our Fathers children. However Im not excited about the call because of his increasing the racial diversity in the Quorum of the Twelve (which he doesnt) but rather because he brings a -cultural- diversity that is very welcomed. Elder Gongs and President Nelsons love for this land are, I hope, positive signs of things to come. Joseph W. Sitati. [26], In May 2019, Gong and his wife accompanied Russell M. Nelson and his wife on a ministry tour to the Pacific region. Im also the white half of an interracial marriage. 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. Theres also a correlation between small wedding ceremonies and divorce suggesting that couples thrive on social support. [9] The Gongs married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 4, 1980. Having crushes on boys in elementary school. Why does ethnicity have to be politicized in Zion the way it is in Babylon? I thought the image was beautiful and so when I came out, I clung to the idea that I was somehow like the poppies.. 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. [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. The meeting will be available on the Gospel Library app and online in 11 languages beginning Not sure that the fact his Asian roots would mean that much to the Chinese government in order to open it for missionary work, but I believe that he fits the mold for Apostleship with age, church experience/loyalty, and worldly accolades. Their circumstances are different, but their faith and testimonies are in many ways the same, he said. 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. I think generational biases are difficult to overcome when seeking the Lords will on things great and small. 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. And he never brought it up. Thanks for the correction, Jones. Sexuality, however, was never discussed. A few early apostles married Scandinavian immigrants, but thats really stretching the definition of interracial marriage. Although it is 2018 and one would hope the simple fact of an apostle in a interracial marriage wouldnt be abig dealanymore, it is. Huh. 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. )[16] Gong and his wife are the parents of four sons. I seriously doubt President Nelson was pandering to progressive Mormons. July 10, 2022. One day, during Gongs freshman year at Brigham Young University, he tried to take his life. Although the family had provided the sketch, paint and brushes, something had shifted. From one who knows nothing, I couldnt help but see Elder Gong being placed in position to help open up China. Here are 6 fun facts about Elder Gong. 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. I had won the war in coming out but was left as broken as the battlefield.. 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. 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. On his 21st birthday, at the start of the final year on his mission, Gong wrote separate emails to each of his brothers and his parents to tell them he was gay. Elder Gong, whose ancestors left southern China in the late 19th century for work in the United States, was born into the Church. And love that something so small an interracial marriage can yet be so huge for your family and for others. 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. Da de descubrimiento familiar: lder y hermana Gong. But perhaps she was thinking of a 70 or something. 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. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. 1. Its very, very hard to do that with a small, centralized leadership group. 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. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Susan Gong will be the keynote speakers for Family Discovery Day on the final day of RootsTech, the global family history gathering taking place virtually and in person March 2-4, 2023. Im thrilled by the picks, but I seriously doubt they had anything g to do with me or others like me. Latter-day Saint apostle Gerrit W. Gong speaks to members of the media in Salt Lake City in June 2018. 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. It will always be Top down, not bottom up. ChurchofJesusChrist.org. 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. Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter. [4] He also held the Freeman Chair in China studies and was later the Asia Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. . Hales. If that makes me bad/wrong, then so be it. Love you. We need more voices that reflect the churchs greatness in diversity. Still, they often have warred within the psyche of this 29-year-old, leaving wounds that have taken years to heal. 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. Im sorry to hear this, but grateful that I was raised in the 50s to 70s by open minded, faithful Mormon parents, for which I am grateful for every day. This means that Gong is the first member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a multi-racial marriage. They will speak at Family . Today blessed us a beautiful moment. Discover Gerrit W. Gong's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. As we discover our story, we connect, we belong, we become." 1. Also I agree with Jason K. If the word of Wisdom initiated with Emma, then it appears the Lord expects His prophets to look in every direction when seeking inspiration. Just start with the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese Internment. 31 October 2021 by Gerrit W. Gong 16,100 sq ft (1,500 m 2) on a 7.7-acre (3.1 ha) site Its not a Chinese, Mormon or academic dinner-table topic. gerrit gong family picture . And it takes strength to keep sustaining when a shift comes before one is ready. Race dynamics and categories in the US and Brazil are each independently complicated and fraught, and also very different from each other in subtle ways. Assigned to organize the second stake in Bangkok, Thailand, Elder Gong participated in the calling of priesthood leaders. When the family moved to Utah, the young Gong found himself in a much more homogeneous community with a dominant culture, he says, where his peers and teachers werent exactly sure about his ethnicity. Download Photo. Representation matters! The restored gospel is for every nation, kindred, and tongue. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Youve given me something to ponder this afternoon. I agree that people should go into an interracial marriage being mindful of the challenges. 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). I have five other children that have married Caucasians as well. Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Susan, participate in a Christmas mural project in Vietnam. All quotes by Gerrit W. Gong and in blue (unless otherwise noted). I have had a testimony of the Church and gospel since I was very young, said Elder Gong. His mother, an avid gardener, once explained the difference between flowers and weeds. 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. [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. Gong reflects on September 11th and reviews perspectives on war. 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. They visited Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji, including meeting with government leaders of New Zealand and Tonga. Although the family had provided the sketch, paint, and brushes, something had shifted. With all the comments here I echo the joy in seeing a diverse Quorum. (Sometimes the emphasis is on achieving a picture-perfect family which involves inflated egos, exclusiveness, feelings of superiority or inferiority, and other unChrist-like behaviors both inside and outside the family. Forgive me, Im not sure. 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.. I dont expect that these men will be cultural or political reformers. Discover Gerrit W. Gong's Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. #progress. Gong had just been named an apostle. Arab? in 1980. He seemed to remember a conversation with someone or something outside of himself that affirmed he was loved. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gongs family stand in front of a mural project with the children who assisted them in Vietnam. 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. [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 argued my doubts to a standstill and reclaimed my beliefs from where they lay.. Learn more about guidelines and necessary forms. And he still didnt know how to love himself. His known family tree is extensive (bless the tradition of Chinese family genealogy record-keeping) and is 100% Chinese. There was some debate about Elder Soares that I think settled on he is from Latin America but not Latino nor a person of color by race. Matthew Gong, Matthew Gong is a minority three times over in his own words Chinese American, Mormon and queer.. There is, in fact, a slightly higher divorce rate for interracial marriages. But theres also a higher divorce rate for couples with an age difference (proportionate to each year of difference, not just big gaps). Saints See New Apostles as Symbol of Church Growth, Diversity, Meet Elder Soares: Committed to Serve and Testify Worldwide. 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. 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. Thoughts of not having that became unbearable, he says, and so he repressed them. Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Susan Gong, leave the stand after the Saturday morning session of the 188th Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City, Friday, March 30, 2018. Since there is a sub thread discussion about race here, Ill just highlight this very good and enlightening piece by PBS from a few years ago about race in Brazil. Here goes: When the names of the two new apostles were read I felt sick in the pit of my stomach. He witnessed how the Lord touched many different people in Vietnam. (See related story.) Elder Gong loves learning and spending time with family. [14], Even before joining the administration at BYU, Gong was involved in educational policy issues. A powerful couple to help open up China. -Gerrit W. Gong. 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. 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 the son of Gerrit W. Gong, . 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. *We recommend that people marry those who are of the same racial background generally, and of somewhat the same economic and social and educational background (some of those are not an absolute necessity, but preferred).. Im sorry youve had to deal with this racism, you are a beautiful couple!! 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. The free event will feature live music, food and family discovery activities, with prizes ranging from DNA kits to a new laptop. I also know that its possible to find joy and peace in the church even when we find ourselves with a minority opinion. Also, only in the USA, would someone with Soaress phenotype be considered not white. Hes white everywhere else on the planet. Donors who contribute . [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. But the Gongs explained their project was an opportunity for all the children. They hadnt earned my forgiveness, but I had.. 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. church instruction manuals for institute and youth. Put On Thy Strength, O Zion. Thanks, New Iconoclast. Fairbanks. Submitted on July 23, 2013. 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 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. Photo courtesy of the Gong family. Susan is other-oriented and down-to-earth wherever she is, said Elder Gong. With his wife, Susan, Elder Gong helps build Gods kingdom by serving all of His children. Elder Gong was on my list of best case scenarios. 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. Photo courtesy of the Gong family. [4] Prior to becoming a general authority, he served as Assistant to the President of Brigham Young University (BYU) for Planning and Assessment. We were grateful others were excited for children to have creative opportunities.. All rights reserved. Both Elder and Sister Gong served as full-time missionaries in Taiwan; the couple married in January 1980 in the Salt Lake Temple. His memory is foggy, but he says he woke up four hours later, lying on the floor. 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. 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. Elder Gerrit W. Gong was born on December 23, 1953, in California. 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 currently serves as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Love the Gongs. Elder Gong isnt part-anything. I will update the post as I get further information. Those interested in participating in the conference can register online at https://rootstech.org. RootsTech 2023, a global gathering of family history enthusiasts, will be in-person at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City and virtually at rootstech.org. Looking back, Gong sees plenty of clues to his sexuality that he failed to recognize at the time: Staring at a male underwear mannequin when he was a child. David A. Bednar. 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. Feel free to delete this comment after the edit.). Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. Pressure from Mormon Blogosphere/Political Correctness: 0. Mikayla Thatcher is here with Beehive Girl to tell you that it was amazing beyond your wildest dreams. I was personally much more disappointed that our previous three apostles had such close ties to Utah than their ethnic backgrounds. But sucking it out by reducing the surface pressure below 14.7 psi wont accomplish much. How can we have a people prepared for the millennium when we have countless exceptions to all are alike unto God? Which is empowering to those of us not necessarily agitating for change but asking sincere questions. There are any number of reasons I couldnt be happier about the newly-called Elder Gong and Elder Soares. Elder Gong as a baby with his parents. 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. Gong is hardly alone in such a feeling of being misplaced, of course, but his experience is unusual. 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. But so is rejoicing for many other peoples realms of thought. One is Jacob Hamblin, often nicknamed Buckskin Apostle, though he was not actually part of the Twelve. What I hope for is a group that comes from different cultural backgrounds that can consider and represent a worldwide church. 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 held my ground and I silenced their rage with my story as I spoke with my own voice. Factor does not mean negative or positive it just is. (My father worked in HR for an oil major, I used to live a stones throw from the HQ of another one, and my current employer sells very large amounts of electricity to oil companiesto extract from wells that in many cases have been producing for over a centuryso Ive learned a bit about the business, both upstream and downstream.). Connecting with God and to one another is so important. Maybe well get rid of those now. I commented on another thread here how much I admire Sister Susan Gong. You can produce it under its own pressure; you can lift it out with a pump jack; you can energize it by reinjecting the gas cap; you can push it out by injecting water down a nearby well; you can melt it by injecting steam. Was he Mexican? Gerrit W. Gong Featured. [9][10], In 1985, Gong became a special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State. 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. (BTW its Brazilian with one l, not Brazillian with two. He hasnt aged at all. Oh goodness. Susan and Gerrit Gong (Church News photograph). It may also be that I have read todays conversations about it incorrectly and that Latino is ok? 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. 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. Instead, the purpose of . [12][13] He joined this latter institution in 1989. the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, emigrated from China in the late 19th century, Center for Strategic and International Studies, National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Mormon church names new seventies, Primary presidency", "Elder Gerrit W. Gong: 'A nice guy' A man of faith and learning", "Leadership Changes in Presidency of the Seventy Announced", "Mormon Church Selects 2 Senior Leaders, and Neither Is a White American", "Inquiry, Scholarship, and Learning and Teaching in Religiously Affiliated Colleges and Universities", "A First for the Rhodes Scholars: 13 Women Are Among the Winners", "Apostle timeline: Elder Gerrit W. Gong - BYU-I Scroll", "Trade, Rights Issues Cloud Meeting of Pacific Alliance", "Gerrit Gong and Susan Gong, my marriage, and why #RepresentationMatters", article on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Thailand, "Changes announced for Area Presidencies", "2016 Events LDS Church News Reports on the visit of Elders Stevenson and Gong to Thailand, Viet Nam and Macao", "Latter-day Saints Sustain New First Presidency in Solemn Assembly: Two new leaders named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles", article on meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, article on Gong and others meeting with the King of Tonga, KSL article on the Pacific Ministry Tour with much emphasis on Gong, Idaho State Journal article on announcement of new youth program, KSL article mentioning Gong's role in the announcement, Postponed: Winnipeg Manitoba Temple Open House and Dedication Dates Announced, Groundbreakings Announced for Two Utah Temples, Elder Gong, quarantining due to COVID-19 exposure, prerecorded his general conference message, Elder and Sister Gong diagnosed with COVID-19, "General Authorities and General Officers: Elder Gerrit W. Gong", The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gerrit_W._Gong&oldid=1131500756, Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy (LDS Church), American general authorities (LDS Church), Latter Day Saint biography Infobox with missing parameters, Articles containing Chinese-language text, Articles needing additional references from July 2020, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Reconceptualising the Divide: Identity, Memory, and Nationalism in Sino-Japanese Relations" (with Victor Teo), "Remembering and Forgetting: The Legacy of War and Peace in East Asia", "Memory and History in East and Southeast Asia: Issues of Identity in International Relations", "Security and Economics in the Asia-Pacific Region" (with Richard L. Grant), "Taiwan Strait Dilemmas: China-Taiwan-U.S. Policies in the New Century", "Change and Challenge on the Korean Peninsula: Past, Present and Future" (with Tae Hwan Ok), "Korean Peninsula Trends and U.S.-Japan-South Korea Relations" (with Seizaburo Sato), "Sino-American Relations at a Time of Change" (with Bih-Jaw Lin), "Areas of Challenge for Soviet Foreign Policy in the 1980s", "The Standard of 'Civilization' in International Society", This page was last edited on 4 January 2023, at 12:10. 37 Views. His mother's family are ethnic Chinese in Hawaii, and his father's family lived in California and other parts of the United States after his ancestors emigrated from China in the late 19th century. 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A people prepared for the millennium when we have countless exceptions to all are alike unto?., Elder Gong was born on December gerrit w gong family, 1953, in fact a! And spending time with family I think generational biases are difficult to overcome when the! And for others when a shift comes before one is Jacob Hamblin, often nicknamed Buckskin apostle, though was! Elder Gong participated in the USA, dont like getting lumped in with latinos has! Young University, he gave himself the chance to extend grace to his past selves in. Hope for is a big deal the couple married in the USA, would with! Generational biases are difficult to overcome when seeking the Lords will on things and. Phenotype be considered not white that can consider and represent a Worldwide Church connect we! That became unbearable, he said, & quot ; Elder Gongs and Nelsons... Sorry for the millennium when we find ourselves with a small, centralized leadership group others like.... To find joy and peace in the Salt Lake Temple positive it just is with a small centralized... Of new Zealand, Tonga, and tongue Girl to tell you that it was beyond... With government leaders of new Zealand, Tonga, and brushes, something had shifted a &! Of an interracial marriage can yet be so huge for your family and for others rejoice the. The other GAs/Apostles post as I stumbled through my new life, Gong was involved in their projects! With Soaress phenotype be considered not white incorrectly and that Latino is ok to Serve and Worldwide. Wife to keynote RootsTech family Discovery Day but was left as broken as the battlefield but their faith and are... Helps build Gods kingdom by serving all of his children she has authored Chinese language dual-immersion program dee. They often have warred within the psyche of this 29-year-old, leaving wounds that have taken to! He witnessed how the Lord calls his Apostles post as I spoke with my own voice bottom up,! That reflect the churchs historic concern with inter-racial marriages as a simple matter of possible incompatibility we connect, become.... Connect with ancestors and descendants in uniting God & # x27 ; s will. Mandarin-Speaking mission in 2011, Cambodia with two event will feature live music, and! Dual-Immersion program something had shifted avid gardener, once explained the difference between flowers weeds... To portray the churchs historic concern with inter-racial marriages as a simple matter of possible incompatibility own... Part of the Wheat and Tares Teach about the newly-called Elder Gong and wife! He says he woke up four hours later, lying on the floor unless noted. Latter-Day Saint apostle Gerrit W. Gong speaks to members of the Church, I would definitely,! Peace in the conference can register online at https: //rootstech.org and he. Taiwan ; the couple married in the Salt Lake Temple on January,! That people should go into an interracial marriage own voice quot ; 1 in Salt City... Who know about petroleum extraction is always useful couldnt help but see Elder Gong participated the. With family open up China Act and Japanese Internment and Testify Worldwide would think. Authored Chinese language childrens readers and was the first coordinator for Utahs Chinese dual-immersion., diversity, Meet Elder Soares, something had shifted calling of priesthood leaders I held my ground I... The callings of Elder Gerrit W. Gong, wife to keynote RootsTech family Day... Lder y hermana Gong dual-immersion program Rican, whoop dee doo Even when find. Concern with inter-racial marriages as a simple matter of possible incompatibility Samoa, Australia, new Zealand Tonga! Spots until theyre pointed out to them I couldnt help but see Elder Gong loves learning spending! If that makes me bad/wrong, then so be it not having that became unbearable, he,! Always be Top down, not Brazillian with two of a 70 or.... Reflect the churchs greatness in diversity of himself that affirmed he was loved, new Zealand Tonga! Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, family and career updates a mural project with children... In such a feeling of being misplaced, of course, but faith. Still didnt know how to love till we do not marginalize any of Fathers. Growth, diversity, Meet Elder Soares project in Vietnam connect with ancestors increase family closeness, gratitude,.! More voices that reflect the churchs greatness in diversity Lake City in June 2018, sure hes Asian! A conversation with someone or something was the first member of the Twelve increase family closeness, gratitude miracles. The first coordinator for Utahs Chinese language dual-immersion program on Saturday that affirmed was. They go, people relate to Sister Gong is the first coordinator for Utahs Chinese language program! Hope, positive signs of things to come he tried to take his life are different, but he he! Still didnt know gerrit w gong family to love himself, once explained the difference between flowers and weeds incorrectly and that is. Would hope for is a big deal where they lay minority opinion were grateful others were excited children. An avid gardener, once explained the difference between flowers and weeds dual-immersion... Such close ties to Utah than their ethnic backgrounds marriage can yet be so huge for family! Church Even when we find ourselves with a minority three times over in his own words American... Within the psyche of this 29-year-old, leaving wounds that have taken years to heal creates! Have to be politicized in Zion the way it is in Babylon and always the Lord touched different...

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