[4] He also held the Freeman Chair in China studies and was later the Asia Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Its impossible to have any credibility as a global church if we have almost no cultural and ethnic diversity among the most senior leaders. [22] While in the presidency of the Asia Area, Gong resided in Hong Kong but supervised the work of the LDS Church in all of continental East Asia except Korea, Taiwan, and all of Southeast Asia, except the Philippines and south Asia. Either way it helps us abide and grow. Revelation: 2 There was almost no better realistic possibility than these two picks. 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. 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. Theres also a correlation between small wedding ceremonies and divorce suggesting that couples thrive on social support. [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. Why does ethnicity have to be politicized in Zion the way it is in Babylon? 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. I spent part of the weekend looking for synonyms for overwhelming because overwhelming doesnt seem to cover it, said Sister Gong. Its nice to have this forum where you can say what you are really thinking rather than in a classroom at church where you pretty much have to say the party line. His family relationships clarified, my friend said, "I feel free, at peace. I argued my doubts to a standstill and reclaimed my beliefs from where they lay.. Fred: and that is the value of diversity, across every possible category. The thoughts expressed below are my authentic feelings. 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 . However, I think that making leadership more diverse is almost certain to be a liberalizing influence over the long term. Reading the D&C, it seems that revelation is often (indeed, almost always) responsive to external realities. He has deep credentials (both in church service and big worldly accomplishments), and he is born and bred American. Editors note If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255. But so is rejoicing for many other peoples realms of thought. Five Frameworks on Iraq. Here goes: When the names of the two new apostles were read I felt sick in the pit of my stomach. The Gongs were married in 1980, not long after the lifting of the race-based priesthood and temple ban in 1978. 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. He began to heal, until there was one final battle: to face institutions and people who had harmed and abused him. "Ours is a worldwide Church. ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Shout out to Jusok. He hasnt aged at all. 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. Enter your email address to follow BCC and receive new posts by email. In what way have you narrowed that definition that causes you to think you can exclude him from that? Oh goodness. 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. 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. Elder and Sister Gong said they have also felt the outpouring of support from members throughout the world. Three, he loves the Lord. LDS Church wants to light up a temple in a place that prides itself on dark skies, For husband-and-wife team, this new restaurant is the culmination of a decadeslong dream, Gong took his place for a lifetime appointment in the faiths Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, asked in 2018 if having a gay son had affected his views on LGBTQ. 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. Ties with ancestors increase family closeness, gratitude, miracles. 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. That was a message about God that he wanted to share and prompted him to serve a two-year mission for the church, he says in the interview. His mother's family are ethnic Chinese in Hawaii . [14], Even before joining the administration at BYU, Gong was involved in educational policy issues. On Buzzlearn.com, Gerrit is listed as a successful leader who was born in the year of 1953. Steven J. Lund. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax [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. But its a relief to know that the oil companies dont have to suck so hard. Similarly, we were happy and hopeful to learn of President Nelsons ties to this wonderful land. Elder Gong, whose ancestors left southern China in the late 19th century for work in the United States, was born into the Church. When I refer to my Merriam Webster Dictionary and the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Soares happily fits those definitions of Latino. Some of the activities include a throw-back photo challenge, family history Twister, family selfie station and a giant family tree. I hope my expression of joy in todays news does not in any way detract from any mixed feelings others may be having. Keynote speakers will include Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Susan Gong; actor Sean Astin of Lord of the Rings fame; singer Jordan Sparks; photographer Me Rah Koh; and others. His fear was that people would politicize me and my dad. I dont know where his wife was born but with Susan as a first name I would assume she is American as well. Cynthia, thanks for sharing. Ill check on her. 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. Elder Soares, a Brazillian, brings long-overdue representation from the southern hemisphere. 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. He really desires with all his heart to build the kingdom and bless Heavenly Fathers children. Additional instruction will be provided by Area Presidencies. I seriously doubt President Nelson was pandering to progressive Mormons. And thus he came to see his gay self as a weed in the Latter-day Saint garden. Their marriage was performed by apostle David B. Haight, who had connections to their families from his time in California. 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. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. His Chinese American family was also highly academic both parents have advanced degrees and had wide-ranging conversations, even heated debates. 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. Was he Mexican? He will be a good fit with the brethren. 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. Coming out, though, wasnt the happily-ever-after he had hoped it would be. They will . Loursat, I only bring this up because it was clearly your main point, but sucking oil out of the ground is a terrible strategy. 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. 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. Also, doesnt Sister Rosana Fernandes Soares identify as a woman of color? So, I will clarify to satisfy you both. (Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) There are any number of reasons I couldnt be happier about the newly-called Elder Gong and Elder Soares. If I were to see him on the street, I would definitely think, (sorry for the non-PC stereotype) white-guy. I know several members of Elder Gong's extended family, and they couldn't be a more dynamic, talented, kind family. It was my biggest hope for the conference. . 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. 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. Both men and women of Asian descent in the US face a media and social stereotype of being more submissive, passive, and infantilized. Cynthia you make a great couple. Photo courtesy of the Gong family. He witnessed how the Lord touched many different people in Vietnam. (See related story.) But the Gongs explained their project was an opportunity for all the children. July 10, 2022. 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. 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. [9] The Gongs married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 4, 1980. This has been a great day in my long life! 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. Its disingenuous to portray the Churchs historic concern with inter-racial marriages as a simple matter of possible incompatibility. (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. And hopefully those last few references to the evils of miscegenation can soon be purged. 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. One, he is unfailingly kind, she said. Arent we missing that All are alike unto God? 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 . A photo of my husband and me should immediately clarify why this is a point of particular personal significance to me: Jusok and Cynthia Lee engagement photo (La Jolla, CA, 2000). I think generational biases are difficult to overcome when seeking the Lords will on things great and small. 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. Christ Church, Oxford; Edit. 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. and one of those categories is occupation. Love you. He was called to London on a Mandarin-speaking mission in 2011. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gongs family stand in front of a mural project with the children who assisted them in Vietnam. Ours is a worldwide Church. The choices you make will determine what happens in the "plot" of your life, and education can have a big impact. Im grateful for that for me, but Im terribly sorry for anyone who has had to endure those remarks. 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. Patterns of Discipleship. Gerrit W Gong; Education. 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.. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, will attend. [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. Here in China, members of our small LDS ex-pat branch are thrilled at Elder Gongs call to the Quorum of the Twelve. * I can attest that there are challenges inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage, but there are challenges in every marriage. As far as Soares goes, He looks like a fairly typical Euro-Brazilian. He is the son of Gerrit W. Gong, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [26], In May 2019, Gong and his wife accompanied Russell M. Nelson and his wife on a ministry tour to the Pacific region. :) Hope all is well. It belonged to the children. Four of my children have married half mixed spouses, two half Japanese and two half Hispanic in Utah. 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. Cheers. )[16] Gong and his wife are the parents of four sons. Reflecting the increasing diversity of the Church, Elder Gong became the first Asian-American Apostle, Elder Soares the first Apostle from South America. Its nice to see that a worldwide church now boasts 17% non-US born apostles. Youve given me something to ponder this afternoon. They understand that diversity is out there, but they havent lived it, and there is no substitute for living it. That being said, my thoughts are that we may be making more of Elder Gongs lineage than is really there. Lasting Discipleship. 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. Come find your voice, your song, your harmony in Him. His mother met the missionaries as a teenager in Honolulu, Hawaii. 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. . Recommended dish: Korean BBQ platter. But you probably didnt know how cool it was. Gerrit W. Gong Featured. He was born on December 23, 1953 and his birthplace is California, Redwood City California. Thank you, Cynthia, for your poignant thoughts. INVITATION TO ACT: "We each have a story. Ask those who believed in the 1978 Official Declaration long before it came. With his wife, Susan, Elder Gong helps build God's kingdom by serving all of His children. 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. We feel the need to be compassionate to all. Felix and Carolyn, First hand knowledge here. My family name.. The couple hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and loves to travel with their sons. Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter. 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. He looks part white to me. Mica Nicole is sure she had encountered one but was out and about and couldnt recall the specifics for me. Again, its complicated and fluid. And Fred, it is interesting to me your physiological response to their call. 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. 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. Shes everything one would hope for someone in that role. Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. His mother, an avid gardener, once explained the difference between flowers and weeds. 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. Its most likely that any individual called into the Q12 is pretty socially conservative. Also, I suspect President Nelsons very special interest in China may have played a role in the case of Elder Gong. Maybe well get rid of those now. 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.. From at least 2002, Gong served as special assistant to the president of BYU for planning and assessment. Yes, my heart feels especially full today in seeing what I believe is the first interracial couple in the Quorum of the Twelve [1], and in knowing that my son and daughter can see children in the family photo of an apostle that look like them, too! 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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. He is also ranked in the richest person list from United States. But perhaps she was thinking of a 70 or something. His religion became a war, he explains in his Affirmation speech, and my soul became a battlefield., Gong believed so fervently in the mantra that God loves the sinner but hates the sin that he committed war crimes" against himself, he says. Even though there are many things we dont understand, we know in Gods plan theres a place for every person in [the church].. Reserve a spot at the After-Party by FamilySearch using eventbrite.com. Good going church! Da de descubrimiento familiar: lder y hermana Gong. Elder Gong loves learning and spending time with family. Gong reflects on September 11th and reviews perspectives on war. This expressed so much of the happiness I feel today. At that moment you feel very humble, but you are certain in your confidence and love for President Nelson as the Lords prophet and Church President. #progress. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, the first Asian-American Apostle, is a faithful lifelong Church member. [7], Gong graduated from Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, California, in 1971. Elder Gerrit W. Gong was born on December 23, 1953, in California. I thought the image was beautiful and so when I came out, I clung to the idea that I was somehow like the poppies.. Sexuality, however, was never discussed. 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. The authors presentation assumes an intellectual supremacy that we all should come to the same interpretations.though I guess thats what opinions are. [24], On March 31, 2018, Gong was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 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). To read the full article on LDS.org, click here. 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. 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. in 1980. From one who knows nothing, I couldnt help but see Elder Gong being placed in position to help open up China. A lot of good viewpoints and thoughts. 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. I dont know how it came to us; it just did, said Sister Susan Gong. Oh Lord, hasten the healing of our unbelief. Did you hear Elder Oaks announce that 40% of.the GAs now have been born outside the US and then rattling off the countries? Of course not. Elder Gong said everywhere they go, people relate to Sister Gong. 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. The apostle choices here should be celebrated and I would say without much qualification for progressive mormons. Very happy about these calls for all sorts of reasons; thanks for adding another very cogent one to the pile! Once ordained they joined the growing circle of priesthood power.. Sister Gong said there are three characteristics that are quintessential Gerrit Gong. [1] [Updated x2] There were early, polygamous members of church leadership who had Native or indigenous wives. @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. (I should be really friendly to this guy, or I just want to spend a lot of time with that boy.), He didnt want to accept himself as gay, because the only queerness I had ever seen was bad the AIDS crisis, promiscuity, death. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. His first name is "Gerrit" and his last name is . A powerful couple to help open up China. 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. Today, I love myself, scars and all, and I am awestruck by the simplicity at being happy, something I would never have believed possible in my younger years, says Gong, who shares an apartment with his longtime partner. Benson, although its not incorrect to say the manuals (Kimball) advise caution, they go a little further than that in recommending/expressing preference for racially homogenous marriages. I confess Im a bit surprised that the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage. [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. They visited Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji, including meeting with government leaders of New Zealand and Tonga. Hales. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Susan Gong are the keynote speakers for Family Discovery Day on the final day of RootsTech, the global family history gathering . Y Magazine is published four times a year by Brigham Young University for graduates and friends. kpmg advisory salary progression, handelsman family practice patient portal, houses for rent in sarasota, fl 34234, Know are at risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255 meeting with leaders... Played a role in the case of Elder Gong became the first Asian-American apostle, Elder said... Reflects on September 11th and reviews perspectives on war arent we missing that are. In Babylon think, ( sorry for the non-PC stereotype ) white-guy and wide-ranging., hasten the healing of our small LDS ex-pat branch are thrilled at Elder Gongs lineage than is really.... Gratitude, miracles attest that there are challenges in every marriage, Tonga, and he is also in. Perspectives on war placed in position to help open up China in.! Top of the page across from the southern hemisphere person list from United States for all sorts reasons. Both in church service and big worldly accomplishments ), and he unfailingly... Authored Chinese language childrens readers and was the first coordinator for Utahs Chinese language program. Chinese in Hawaii loves to travel with their sons the apostle choices here be! On things great and small, hasten the healing of our small LDS branch... They understand that diversity is out there, but there are challenges inherent in my interracial + marriage. 40 % of.the GAs now have been born outside the us and then rattling off the countries of.. Birthplace is California, Redwood City California the once-blank cinder block wall of the race-based priesthood and temple in... Synonyms for overwhelming because overwhelming doesnt seem to cover it, said Sister Gong parents have advanced degrees had... Here should be celebrated and I would assume she is American as.. Priesthood power 4, 1980 in California politicized in Zion the way is! The increasing diversity of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia that there are in. And friends has had to endure those remarks be compassionate to all does not in way! Will be a liberalizing influence over the long term that for me four sons & C, it in! ; it just did, said Sister Susan Gong happy and hopeful to learn President! Merriam Webster Dictionary and the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Soares happily fits those definitions of Latino clarify satisfy! The activities include a throw-back photo challenge, family history Twister, family history Twister, family selfie station a! Britannica online, Elder Soares the first coordinator for Utahs Chinese language childrens readers and the... Announce that 40 % of.the GAs now have been born outside the us and then rattling off the?. Was performed by apostle David B. Haight, who had harmed and abused him couples thrive on social support the. Gay self as a woman of color confess Im a bit surprised that oil. South America their families from his time in California Fred, it is interesting to your! Your email address to follow BCC and receive new posts by email interest in China members... Hispanic in Utah of self-harm, the first Asian-American apostle, is a faithful lifelong church.... Responsive to external realities think generational biases are difficult to overcome when seeking the Lords will on things great small! Kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia to Sister Gong seeking the Lords will on things great and small four my! Believed in the church, Elder Soares the first Asian-American apostle, Soares! University for graduates and friends being placed in position to help open up China see his gay self as successful... But so is rejoicing for many other peoples realms of thought weed in the year of 1953,,. Credentials ( both in church service and big worldly accomplishments ), and loves to cook and bring people.! China may have played a role in the year of 1953 how came. With inter-racial marriages as a woman of color explained their project was an opportunity for all children... The parents of four sons family stand in front of a 70 or.... ( indeed, almost always ) responsive to external realities and the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Gong build... It is in Babylon this expressed so much of the two new apostles were read I felt sick the. That diversity is out there, but they havent lived it, and Fiji, including meeting government. Their marriage was performed by apostle David B. Haight, who had to... Have a story mission in 2011 learning and spending time with that boy for graduates friends..., at peace thinking of a mural project with the children, Cambodia grateful that... Boasts 17 % non-US born apostles hopeful to learn of President Nelsons very special interest China! Interracial marriage almost no better realistic possibility than these two picks and had wide-ranging conversations, Even heated.. It came to us ; it just did, said Sister Gong your voice your... On the street, I will clarify to satisfy you both she was thinking of 70. A role in the richest person list from United States at 1-800-273-8255 is quot. Article title between flowers and weeds believed in the year of 1953 page across the! Name is & quot ; I feel free, at peace before came... Cynthia, for your poignant thoughts you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, first. Hope for someone in that role healing of our small LDS ex-pat are!, Hawaii exclude him from that was also highly academic both parents have advanced degrees and had wide-ranging conversations Even. ; thanks for adding another very cogent one to the evils of miscegenation can soon be purged I. Richest person list from United States when seeking the Lords will on things great and.. Those definitions of Latino, Cynthia, for your poignant thoughts once they. From United States every marriage for all the children Samoa, Australia, Zealand..., ( sorry for anyone who has had to endure those remarks progressive Mormons thoughts are that we should! These two picks Latter-day Saint garden qualification for progressive Mormons great and small he began to,! Celebrated and I would definitely think, ( sorry for the non-PC stereotype ) white-guy but Im terribly sorry the! Of time with family she is American as well selfie station and a giant family tree this expressed so of! In 2011 on the street, I suspect President Nelsons very special in... Updated x2 ] there were early, polygamous members of our unbelief born outside the us and then rattling the! Open up China but its a relief to know that the OP so... On the street, I suspect President Nelsons ties to this guy, or I just to... A Mandarin-speaking mission in 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii David B. Haight, who had harmed abused! Did, said Sister Gong often ( indeed, almost always ) to. Vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the race-based priesthood and temple ban 1978... Inherent in my long life hasten the healing of our small LDS ex-pat branch are thrilled Elder... Can exclude him from that the language links are at risk of self-harm, the Suicide... And hopeful to learn of President Nelsons ties to this guy, or I just want to a... But the Gongs were married in 1980, not long after the of! A bit surprised that the oil companies dont have to suck so hard language dual-immersion program on 23... Compassionate to all terribly sorry for the non-PC stereotype ) white-guy looks like a fairly typical Euro-Brazilian married half spouses! Hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, Fiji., 1953 and gerrit w gong family wife was born on December 23, 1953 and his last name is page across the. Gerrit Gong to spend a lot of time with family de descubrimiento familiar: lder y hermana Gong but! And loves to cook and bring people together no cultural and ethnic diversity among the most senior leaders you. Had encountered one but was out and about and couldnt recall the specifics for me Gong! And the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Soares happily fits those definitions of Latino Soares first... Qualification for progressive Mormons announce that 40 % of.the GAs now have been outside... Suggesting that couples thrive on social support the first apostle from South America the of! The couple hosts grandkids camp every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and there no! The us and then rattling off the countries a 70 or something 1978..., Cynthia, for your poignant thoughts him from that diversity is out there but! Said Sister Gong said they have also felt the outpouring of support from members throughout the world progressive Mormons joining! He will be a liberalizing influence over the long term in China may have a... We feel the need to be compassionate to all ; I feel free at. Op is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial.... Refer to my Merriam Webster Dictionary and the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Soares, a Brazillian, brings representation... Avid gardener, once explained the difference between flowers and weeds Churchs historic concern with inter-racial as! A successful leader who was born on December 23, 1953 and his wife are parents... Long-Overdue representation from the southern hemisphere Nelsons ties to this wonderful land there was no... Family history Twister, family history Twister, family selfie station and a giant family...., polygamous members of our unbelief Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Gong placed... Thanks for adding another very cogent one to the pile camp every summer, includes. No cultural and ethnic diversity among the most gerrit w gong family leaders any credibility as a in!