Christ Church, Oxford; Edit. Sane liberals in the church dont have any illusions about their influence.). And thus he came to see his gay self as a weed in the Latter-day Saint garden. Sister Gong said there are three characteristics that are quintessential Gerrit Gong. 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. Family history also encourages us to preserve our own experiences . I agree that people should go into an interracial marriage being mindful of the challenges. Brazilians, in the USA, dont like getting lumped in with latinos. 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. I know several members of Elder Gongs extended family, and they couldnt be a more dynamic, talented, kind family. [12][13] He joined this latter institution in 1989. Fairbanks. 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. This white British woman with Japanese husband and two children is with you all the way on this one. And definitely in Brazil Soares would be considered white. Im excited for Elder Soares calling as are my Brazilian friends in our ward here in Brazil. Learn more about guidelines and necessary forms. Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. [36], During the church's general conference in October 2020, it was announced that Gong and his wife had been exposed to COVID-19, and that his address had been pre-recorded as he quarantined at home. Come discover yours. 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. More than anything he is American. I agree. We were grateful others were excited for children to have creative opportunities.. 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. Term ended by removal of apostleship; was later excommunicated. [25], In May 2018, Gong and his wife spoke at the BYU Women's Conference. This is a grandly unique perspective on this appointment that I had not known, nor considered until reading your article. BTW, given that oil often is found in strange places, experience and comfort with a wide range of cultures is a pretty big advantage. 31 October 2021 by Gerrit W. Gong 16,100 sq ft (1,500 m 2) on a 7.7-acre (3.1 ha) site Ours is a worldwide Church, said Elder Gong. However, much discussion among leading historians of Mormonism has so far failed to turn up any examples of an interracial marriage in the Twelve. I confronted and broke down the lies I had been told about what it means to be queer. I experienced confusion, sexual assault and rejection as I stumbled through my new life, Gong says. I dont know how it came to us; it just did, said Sister Susan Gong. 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. 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. Its just good to have people from outside of the Western US. in 1980. Yipp BG, Robbins SM, Resek ME, Baruch DI, Looareesuwan S, Ho M. Src-family Kinase Signaling Modulates the Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum on Human Microvascular Endothelium Under Flow. 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. Leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first leader of Asian descent. Fairbanks is home to Seoul Gate Restaurant, an unpretentious spot where beef bulgogi, chicken bulgogi, traditional BBQ platters, and crispy, fried chicken are served in large portions. Their circumstances are different, but their faith and testimonies are in many ways the same, he said. Cheers. FredI strongly suspect that you would not have similar qualms about announcements that aligned with your own political priors. Im also the white half of an interracial marriage. The in-person session will also include live interaction with Elder and Sister Gong, according to a RootsTech media release. What Does the Parable of the Wheat and Tares Teach about the Apostasy? I dont expect that these men will be cultural or political reformers. It didnt matter if we agreed about everything; were still family. The free event will feature live music, food and family discovery activities, with prizes ranging from DNA kits to a new laptop. Elder and Sister Gong said they have also felt the outpouring of support from members throughout the world. 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. I love the more visible presence of minorities. Y Magazine is published four times a year by Brigham Young University for graduates and friends. [11] Gong was a professor at various times at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University. 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. Gong had just been named an apostle. Discover Gerrit W. Gong's Wiki Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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.. 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. David A. Bednar. A few early apostles married Scandinavian immigrants, but thats really stretching the definition of interracial marriage. Mica Nicole is sure she had encountered one but was out and about and couldnt recall the specifics for me. I can also attest that there are benefits inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage. Lasting Discipleship. Were an international church, and the PTB clearly have worked hard to get our leadership profile to more closely mirror that reality. 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. He will be a good fit with the brethren. I hope my expression of joy in todays news does not in any way detract from any mixed feelings others may be having. 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. 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. Though Gongs relationship with his parents got off to a rocky start after he came out not for lack of love or rejection but for miscommunication they are now as close as ever and talk almost every week. 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. @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. Ours is a worldwide Church. Cynthia, thanks for sharing. Arab? Also on the whole model minority thing we dont exactly need to go very far back in history, especially California history, to find plenty of horrific discrimination against Asians. He said they have had an opportunity to weep together and pray together. One, he is unfailingly kind, she said. 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. Elder Gongs and President Nelsons love for this land are, I hope, positive signs of things to come. He previously served as a member of the Asia Area Presidency and member of the Presidency of the Seventy.During his 20 years in Washington, D.C., he served as special assistant to the undersecretary of state at the U.S. State Department, as special . Steven J. Lund. The OPs own experience of external challenges is evidence enough that race is a factor to consider! The storyteller and artist came out in defiance of my depression, he says, with a desperate will to survive. I was worried that it would be deletedinstead I have been encouraged to look at it in new ways that I hadnt considered. When I refer to my Merriam Webster Dictionary and the Encyclopedia Britannica online, Elder Soares happily fits those definitions of Latino. #progress. Connecting with God and to one another is so important. Revelation: 2 Some places wanted to send only the best and most artistic children to participate. These appointments in terms of age and church experience were right In the sweet spot consistent with recent apostle picks. 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. And I suspect their international cred was perceived as a big plus, not a minus. Fred: and that is the value of diversity, across every possible category. 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. God Bless You in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. In movies, gays were victims, targets for bullies, or the sassy friend.. My white cousin married a Korean woman and lived in Korea for several years. 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. The three-day gathering (March 2 to 4, 2023) will feature several . Shes everything one would hope for someone in that role. Elder Gerrit W. Gong's talk from the April 2022 general conference was all about family history, and it gave us lots of good insights. [1] [Updated x2] There were early, polygamous members of church leadership who had Native or indigenous wives. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. 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. People dont know their own blind spots until theyre pointed out to them. My last post must have sounded like trolling as it has disappeared. Until he was 10, Matt Gong, the familys fourth of four sons, lived in the Washington, D.C., area, where his dad worked at a policy think tank. Ill check on her. I have five other children that have married Caucasians as well. Although the character of the racism people of Asian descent experience in the US is very different from what Latinx and black people face, and the significance of that should not be minimized, it is still racism. Until very recently, church instruction manuals for institute and youthsuggested caution against interracial marriages. Mikayla Thatcher is here with Beehive Girl to tell you that it was amazing beyond your wildest dreams. 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. Today we both celebrate andlook forward. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong. 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. Reflecting the increasing diversity of the Church, Elder Gong became the first Asian-American Apostle, Elder Soares the first Apostle from South America. Of his new assignment, Elder Gong said it was overwhelming to have President Nelson tenderly take my hands in his and extend a call to the apostleship. How can we have a people prepared for the millennium when we have countless exceptions to all are alike unto God? (And alsowhat Kevin said. It belonged to the children. Our cultural biases are a factor, as well. Of course not. Ill investigate Rosana. I dont know of anything further back in the family tree than that. He is the son of Gerrit W. Gong, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its not a Chinese, Mormon or academic dinner-table topic. Otherwise it would be hard for that person to win the confidence of the senior leadership. [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. 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. . Winter 2003 Contact Us Advertising News & Alumni. Big smiles in the Hedgehog home. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax 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. Still, they often have warred within the psyche of this 29-year-old, leaving wounds that have taken years to heal. Representation matters! In fact, the model minority label is itself an example of racism, both because it exists really only for the purpose of supporting white supremacy by attacking other people of color for purportedly being less deserving of respect and success, and because it treats Asian people as a monolith. (Courtesy photo by Ryan Di Spaltro) Is Elder Gong of mixed race? Elder Soares, a Brazillian, brings long-overdue representation from the southern hemisphere. Oh goodness. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Thanks, Cynthia, and beautifully written. There are over a billion Chinese citizens, and we non-Chinese are forbididen by law from discussing religion with them. Factor does not mean negative or positive it just is. Reading the D&C, it seems that revelation is often (indeed, almost always) responsive to external realities. Felix was referring to genetics. 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. (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.). They are the parents of four sons and have three grandchildren. As far as Soares goes, He looks like a fairly typical Euro-Brazilian. Donors who contribute . Anyone who thinks otherwise is giving themselves a little too much credit. As he said, "We each have a story.". 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. I believe the Lord uses those who have specific skills to move His church forward.and Sister Gong is fluent in Mandarin. He was born on December 23, 1953 and his birthplace is California, Redwood City California. 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. His mother, an avid gardener, once explained the difference between flowers and weeds. I dont think there are many people who are openly queer and whose dad is now in one of the highest positions of authority in the LDS Church, he quips in an online post that went viral. [3] He is the LDS Church's first apostle of Asian descent. Forgive me, Im not sure. And love that something so small an interracial marriage can yet be so huge for your family and for others. I have personally experienced stinging examples of this bias: confusion about our children, surprise about us being together, and even comments along the lines that I did it backwards by being a white woman married to my Korean-American husband. 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. If that makes me bad/wrong, then so be it. Hi MB, Im really not the expert to speak on that. But sucking it out by reducing the surface pressure below 14.7 psi wont accomplish much. Its nice to see that a worldwide church now boasts 17% non-US born apostles. 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. But getting to this place of peace with his trifold identity, says Gong, an artificial intelligence engineer in Seattle, has required hard work. He also has responsibility in the Quorum of the Twelve for the church's Asia and Asia North areas. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/black-in-latin-america/featured/black-in-latin-america-full-episode-brazil-a-racial-paradise/224/. 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. 2003 Apr 1;101(7):2850-7. Submitted on July 23, 2013. Johnif all are alike unto God, then you should expect that there are people worthy to be apostles from all racial backgrounds, not just one. *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).. (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. [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. His family relationships clarified, my friend said, "I feel free, at peace. Much of this post is good, though the backdrop of white supremacy is a bit much. Elder Gong isnt part-anything. Patterns of Discipleship. Elder and Sister Gong's presentation will be broadcast on Saturday, March 4 . Cannot load blog information at this time. 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. He began to heal, until there was one final battle: to face institutions and people who had harmed and abused him. Matthew Gong, Matthew Gong is a minority three times over in his own words Chinese American, Mormon and queer.. Youd think wed try to start making trends on this issue as opposed to following them. The strongest marriages are based on mutual core values, and church leaders seem to believe that marrying in the faith takes care of that. 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. When the prophet starts allowing his decisions to be influenced by every wind of political and worldly doctrine everyone loses. And it takes strength to keep sustaining when a shift comes before one is ready. 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. [4] Prior to becoming a general authority, he served as Assistant to the President of Brigham Young University (BYU) for Planning and Assessment. Here goes: When the names of the two new apostles were read I felt sick in the pit of my stomach. I confess Im a bit surprised that the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage. The current government is becoming more repressive about such matters. 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. The LDS Brazilians I know are adamant that they are of European descent and that they are not Latino. 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. My sister (who is white) is married to a Korean man and I have never ever considered the fact that they have probably experienced bigoted comments, because their interracial marriage didnt even faze our 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. 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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. We were grateful others were excited for children to have creative opportunities. His mother's family are ethnic Chinese in Hawaii . 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). 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. Elder Gerrit W. Gong was born on December 23, 1953, in California. But theres also a higher divorce rate for couples with an age difference (proportionate to each year of difference, not just big gaps). Also, doesnt Sister Rosana Fernandes Soares identify as a woman of color? Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Susan, participate in a Christmas mural project in Vietnam. So, when I talk about the Church, I mean the Church. When I talk about my father, hes just my father.. On my mission, I learned that the first things to grow on the battlefields of France after World War I, were poppies, blood-red poppies, Gong tells the Affirmation virtual audience. I think generational biases are difficult to overcome when seeking the Lords will on things great and small. Feel free to delete this comment after the edit.). One day, during Gongs freshman year at Brigham Young University, he tried to take his life. Their children had a hard time in Korean schools because of the round eyes. Does that mean they never should have gotten married? 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. Sign up for Meridians Free Newsletter, pleaseCLICK HERE. Born in Redwood City, California, to Walter A. and Jean C. Gong, Elder Gong comes to the apostleship with a background rich in education and experience. There was almost no better realistic possibility than these two picks. And he never brought it up. In order to celebrate Elder Gong's birthday, here are some photos showing his life and ministry to Latter-day Saints around the world. Elder Gong loves learning and spending time with family. [26], In May 2019, Gong and his wife accompanied Russell M. Nelson and his wife on a ministry tour to the Pacific region. I have had a testimony of the Church and gospel since I was very young, said Elder Gong. 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. 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. Thanks for calling attention to the interracial marriage barrier being broken and what this can mean to many families. Again, its complicated and fluid. 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. 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. Youthsuggested caution against interracial marriages dynamic, talented, kind family dont like getting in... 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