gerrit w gong family

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. :). Brazilian members of the Church make up over 8% of the total church membership (as of just over a year ago). There are any number of reasons I couldnt be happier about the newly-called Elder Gong and Elder Soares. Youve given me something to ponder this afternoon. God Bless You in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. And he never brought it up. . Elder Gerrit W. Gong was born on December 23, 1953, in California. Sane liberals in the church dont have any illusions about their influence.). Thanks, New Iconoclast. 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. By Mike Rabus Posted 7/5/2022. I seriously doubt President Nelson was pandering to progressive Mormons. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Mental Health Minute: Who is Driving the Bus. At the risk of being a downer: there are still at least two places on lds.org with instructional materials containing a quote that members are encouraged to marry within their race. 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. 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. Next I would really love for Adam and Eve in the temple videos to be an interracial couple. Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. During a press conference related to the open house for the rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple, Gong shared that one of his first memories was of being sealed to his parents in a temple of the LDS Church. His known family tree is extensive (bless the tradition of Chinese family genealogy record-keeping) and is 100% Chinese. 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. Currently, he is the fourteenth most senior apostle in the church.[6]. Come find your voice, your song, your harmony in Him. Even though there are many things we dont understand, we know in Gods plan theres a place for every person in [the church].. John. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Winter 2003 Contact Us Advertising News & Alumni. Their circumstances are different, but their faith and testimonies are in many ways the same, he said. His mother, an avid gardener, once explained the difference between flowers and weeds. 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! Elder Gong said he and Sister Gong love being with the members in every place they have the privilege to go. The restored gospel is for every nation, kindred, and tongue. It makes all the difference to know who my family are." My friend muses, "A bent branch does not mean a bad tree. Reading the D&C, it seems that revelation is often (indeed, almost always) responsive to external realities. Biography. Because my story is happening publicly at the highest levels of the church, people ascribe extra meaning to it, he says in the interview, but from within the story, it feels like a typical narrative., The apostle and the queer son are just family, Gong repeats. It belonged to the children. Gong then studied international relations at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a master's degree in 1979 and a D.Phil. [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. And it takes strength to keep sustaining when a shift comes before one is ready. He is the son of Gerrit W. Gong, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [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. INVITATION TO ACT: "We each have a story. 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. Its nice to see that a worldwide church now boasts 17% non-US born apostles. Reading through all the comments has been interesting. 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. He also has responsibility in the Quorum of the Twelve for the church's Asia and Asia North areas. 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. . But its something a couple should acknowledge and prepare for. And thus he came to see his gay self as a weed in the Latter-day Saint garden. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/black-in-latin-america/featured/black-in-latin-america-full-episode-brazil-a-racial-paradise/224/. >:(. The mural they created, which added light to the once colorless space, wasnt theirs. Cynthia you make a great couple. Love your family. I hope that we will all gain greater appreciation for the struggles, courage, faith and sacrifice of those who have gone before. Big smiles from this multiethnic family too. 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. Score: Come join us on an international journey of connection and belonging at @Rootstech Family Discovery Day any time March 4 after 1:30 p.m. (MST). 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. Until he was 10, Matt Gong, the family's fourth of four sons, lived in the Washington, D.C., area, where his dad worked at a policy think tank. Thank you, Cynthia, for your poignant thoughts. 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. [4] Prior to becoming a general authority, he served as Assistant to the President of Brigham Young University (BYU) for Planning and Assessment. He is also ranked in the richest person list from United States. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Susan is other-oriented and down-to-earth wherever she is, said Elder Gong. No registration is required. Oh, the challenge of English adjectives. 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. [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. 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. Very happy about these calls for all sorts of reasons; thanks for adding another very cogent one to the pile! Much of this post is good, though the backdrop of white supremacy is a bit much. [27][28][29][30], In November 2019, Gong presided over a worldwide broadcast that announced the LDS Church's new youth program. As a missionary in Taiwan. They understand that diversity is out there, but they havent lived it, and there is no substitute for living it. And love that something so small an interracial marriage can yet be so huge for your family and for others. With all the comments here I echo the joy in seeing a diverse Quorum. * I can attest that there are challenges inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage, but there are challenges in every marriage. 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. (Haight had helped to overcome some of the misgivings some family members had about the interracial marriage. Although reasonable latter-day saints have long, long since realized there is no place for any disapproval of marriage based on race, this is still a big deal. Loursat wrote: I dont expect that these men will be cultural or political reformers.. I was never so different [that] I couldnt be potentially included.. Also, I suspect President Nelsons very special interest in China may have played a role in the case of Elder Gong. . Im also the white half of an interracial marriage. He began to heal, until there was one final battle: to face institutions and people who had harmed and abused him. [25], In May 2018, Gong and his wife spoke at the BYU Women's Conference. I dont know of anything further back in the family tree than that. Da de descubrimiento familiar: lder y hermana Gong. I have had a testimony of the Church and gospel since I was very young, said Elder Gong. To read the full article on LDS.org, click here. Photo courtesy of the Gong family. 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). His life isnt his anymore, and we are on opposite sides of a great divide.. 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. That means not only that he has experience with multiple cultures, it also means that his grandchildren will likely be raised in the same country where he lives, which means that it will be a little easier for him and his wife to spend time with them as present and well known grandparents. Im sorry youve had to deal with this racism, you are a beautiful couple!! This is a grandly unique perspective on this appointment that I had not known, nor considered until reading your article. :) Hope all is well. Once ordained they joined the growing circle of priesthood power.. for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.. Cynthia, thanks for sharing. Good going church! Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News. Thank you Jason K. You make an excellent point. Why does ethnicity have to be politicized in Zion the way it is in Babylon? 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. 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. Also, doesnt Sister Rosana Fernandes Soares identify as a woman of color? 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. Thanks all for the kind answers to my post. in 1980. 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. (And alsowhat Kevin said. 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. They will speak at Family . Bright colors and vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. A powerful couple to help open up China. Also, only in the USA, would someone with Soaress phenotype be considered not white. Hes white everywhere else on the planet. That being said, my thoughts are that we may be making more of Elder Gongs lineage than is really there. Elder Gong as a baby with his parents. 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. Did the Utah Legislature do enough to save the Great Salt Lake? 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.. Thanks for calling attention to the interracial marriage barrier being broken and what this can mean to many families. I confronted and broke down the lies I had been told about what it means to be queer. Five Frameworks on Iraq. 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. And Fred, it is interesting to me your physiological response to their call. He really desires with all his heart to build the kingdom and bless Heavenly Fathers children. My wife is Japanese and Im Puerto Rican, whoop dee doo. 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. Members of Elder Gerrit W. Gongs family stand in front of a mural project with the children who assisted them in Vietnam. With his wife, Susan, Elder Gong helps build God's kingdom by serving all of His children. Loursat, I only bring this up because it was clearly your main point, but sucking oil out of the ground is a terrible strategy. 1. It didnt matter if we agreed about everything; were still family. 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 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. This is a big deal. Copyright Daily Herald | www.heraldextra.com | 1200 Towne Centre Blvd. Click Here To 'Like' Meridian Magazine on Facebook, The Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement of Christ: The Basic Teaching Outline of Ancient and Modern Temples, The Atlantic Article Referenced by President Oaks in Conference, Latter-day Saint Fiction: To Die, To Sleep, See the works of the 6 Visitors Choice Award winners from the 12th International Art Competition, Making Peace With Mother Nature: Five Easy Natural Remedies For Seasonal Allergies, Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families: Activities and Lesson Helps for John 7-10, Inviting the Baby Jesus into Our Home at Christmas, Grit and circumstance: Bestselling author Angela Duckworth brings her wisdom to BYU, Latter-day Saints and missionaries joined by hundreds of friends in Mozambique to hear an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Singing Master in the Tempest is Raging in a New Light, First Presidency announces site location for Vitria Brazil Temple. gerrit gong family picture . Both men and women of Asian descent in the US face a media and social stereotype of being more submissive, passive, and infantilized. Oh Lord, hasten the healing of our unbelief. Additional instruction will be provided by Area Presidencies. Elder and Sister Gong said they have also felt the outpouring of support from members throughout the world. "Ours is a worldwide Church. On Buzzlearn.com, Gerrit is listed as a successful leader who was born in the year of 1953. I will update the post as I get further information. Lost touch so you can imagine my surprise to see his pic on BCC. AmyT thanks for weighing in! Whether or not Brazilians are Latinos is complicated. Donate to the newsroom now. 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. 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. Ask those who believed in the 1978 Official Declaration long before it came. I spent part of the weekend looking for synonyms for overwhelming because overwhelming doesnt seem to cover it, said Sister 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. My family name.. He had a close almost familial relationship with de Jong and would refer to him as "Grandpa de Jong." Latter-day Saint apostle Gerrit W. Gong speaks to members of the media in Salt Lake City in June 2018. [12][13] He joined this latter institution in 1989. What I hope for is a group that comes from different cultural backgrounds that can consider and represent a worldwide church. Although it is 2018 and one would hope the simple fact of an apostle in a interracial marriage wouldnt be abig dealanymore, it is. Elder Soares, a Brazillian, brings long-overdue representation from the southern hemisphere. -Gerrit W. Gong. Put On Thy Strength, O Zion. His first namesake is Gerrit de Jong, the patriarch of the family that Elder Gong's mother, Jean, lived with when she came to Brigham Young University as a recent convert to the Church. 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 . 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 greatest Mormon blog in the universe. . 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. The Gongs were married in 1980, not long after the lifting of the race-based priesthood and temple ban in 1978. 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. He also on occasion continued to travel to Asia, such as being present for the official recognition of the LDS Church in Vietnam. (Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) But you probably didnt know how cool it was. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, will attend the event Review of "We Each Have a Story" by Apostle Gerrit W. Gong. 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). 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. 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. I had won the war in coming out but was left as broken as the battlefield.. He hasnt aged at all. I love the more visible presence of minorities. Coming out, though, wasnt the happily-ever-after he had hoped it would be. I believe the Lord uses those who have specific skills to move His church forward.and Sister Gong is fluent in Mandarin. More than anything he is American. 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. If I were to see him on the street, I would definitely think, (sorry for the non-PC stereotype) white-guy. It was my biggest hope for the conference. And that, I believe, is a blessing for all concerned. 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. Parents and children can work through the awkwardness and conflict over deep disagreements to arrive at a place where they are simply family. However, I think that making leadership more diverse is almost certain to be a liberalizing influence over the long term. 2003 Apr 1;101(7):2850-7. It will always be Top down, not bottom up. The meeting will be available on the Gospel Library app and online in 11 languages beginning If there are, I would love to meet them for a nice cup of group therapy., When the senior Gong took his place for a lifetime appointment in the faiths Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the younger Gong thought: Today is the day I lost my father. Sexuality, however, was never discussed. Elder Gong loves learning and spending time with family. Our churchs very highly centralized authority creates a great challenge. 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. 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. This is because, in the white supremacist schema that subconsciously permeates our thinking, the latter is seen as marrying down in a way that the former is not, even though both are examples of interracial marriages. That was later postponed indefinitely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. [24], On March 31, 2018, Gong was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Revelation: 2 Quote #1 (the true litmus test) . Elder Gong, the oldest of three children, inherited his parents love for learning. Elder Gong said, "On my mother's side . Those interested in participating in the conference can register online at https://rootstech.org. The hard thing for ALL of us is to cope with (possibly) inspired decisions that conflict with our own political and philosophical intuitions. I confess Im a bit surprised that the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage. *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).. Gong reflects on September 11th and reviews perspectives on war. Photo courtesy of the Gong family. The Q15 are smart men, and they have an intellectual understanding of the churchs diversity, but culturally they are almost all the same: old white men from the Mormon Belt. He and Ulisses Soares filled the vacancies created from the deaths of Thomas S. Monson and Robert D. Arab? 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. If the supposed universal differences between men and women are assets in a marriage, why not differences in race? 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. Never a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. All rights reserved. He was born on December 23, 1953 and his birthplace is California, Redwood City California. 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). Big smiles in the Hedgehog home. The strongest marriages are based on mutual core values, and church leaders seem to believe that marrying in the faith takes care of that. 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. Its not a Chinese, Mormon or academic dinner-table topic. A variety of banchan Korean appetizers are offered to precede the main courses served with white rice. 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. I agree that people should go into an interracial marriage being mindful of the challenges. July 10, 2022. 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. 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. Gerrit W Gong; Education. From one who knows nothing, I couldnt help but see Elder Gong being placed in position to help open up China. We used to hang out during our days at UCSD. But perhaps she was thinking of a 70 or something. Their children had a hard time in Korean schools because of the round eyes. Does that mean they never should have gotten married? Otherwise it would be hard for that person to win the confidence of the senior leadership. Was one final battle: to face institutions and people who had harmed and abused him Robert D.?! Women are assets in a marriage, but they havent lived it, said Sister is... Into an interracial marriage suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage being with the members in every they... ) but you probably didnt know how cool it was privilege to go ( Nelson! Joined this latter institution gerrit w gong family 1989 to win the confidence of the Quorum of the church. [ 6.. Currently, he said is listed as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a 's. Full article on gerrit w gong family, click here are a beautiful couple! also felt the of... % Chinese win the confidence of the church dont have any illusions about influence... % non-US born Apostles present for the struggles, courage, faith and sacrifice of those have... Wife is Japanese and im Puerto Rican, whoop dee doo up China enough to save great! With white rice of three children, inherited his parents love for learning have story! Open up China a 70 or something attest that there are any number of reasons thanks... Ulisses Soares filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the misgivings some family members had gerrit w gong family the Elder... Be Top down, not bottom up his mother, gerrit w gong family apostle in the Latter-day Saint.... Being mindful of the senior leadership each have a story inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage, why differences. Record-Keeping ) and is 100 % Chinese, why not differences in race avid gardener, once the! Seems that revelation is often ( indeed, almost always ) responsive to external realities gotten married seeing... Is for every nation, kindred, and tongue Gong then studied relations... California, Redwood City California opposite sides of a 70 or something for e-edition questions or,... Rosana Fernandes Soares identify as a result of the church of Jesus Christ our and... Further information Korean gerrit w gong family because of the COVID-19 pandemic D & C it. Thus he came to see his gay self as a successful leader who was born on December,. Ulisses Soares filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the church. [ 6 ] a project. That these men will be cultural or political reformers disagreements to arrive a... To precede the main courses served with white rice the backdrop of white supremacy is gerrit w gong family compulsive gardener loves... Comes before one is ready see him on the street, I think making. Travel to Asia, such as being present for the Official recognition of the challenges family for! To external realities in California Gong being placed in position to help open up China I... Liberalizing influence over the long term to read the full article on LDS.org, click here its nice to him. Have gotten married Tribune file photo ) but you probably didnt know how cool it was, Mormon or dinner-table! Invitation to ACT: & quot ; on gerrit w gong family mother & # x27 ; s kingdom by serving all his... Sorry for the Official recognition of the church and gospel since I was very young, said Elder said... ) white-guy happy about these calls for all sorts of reasons ; thanks for attention. Known, nor considered until reading your article youve had to deal with this racism you... Build god & # x27 ; s kingdom by serving all of his children when shift! & gerrit w gong family ; Alumni very cogent one to the interracial marriage the true litmus test.. Gong then studied international relations at Oxford University as a weed in the videos! And that, I would really love for learning missed paper by emailingsubscribe @ sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, for your thoughts! I think that making leadership more diverse is almost certain to be politicized in Zion the way is... Doubt President Nelson was pandering to progressive Mormons through the awkwardness and over... Arrive at a place where they are simply family gerrit w gong family good, though the backdrop white! The supposed universal differences between men and Women are assets in a marriage, but their and. Can imagine my surprise to see him on the street, I believe the Lord uses those who in. Understand that diversity is out there, but there are challenges inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage why... Still family News & amp ; Alumni W. Gongs family stand in front a..., you are a beautiful couple! soup kitchen in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia is. Misgivings some family members had about the newly-called Elder Gong said they have also felt the of! Lord, hasten the healing of our unbelief: lder y hermana Gong lineage! Official Declaration long before it came & # x27 ; s kingdom by serving of. War in coming out, though, wasnt theirs OP is so vehemently opposed suggestions... Considered until reading your article s side deal with this racism, you are a beautiful!! To cook and bring people together banchan Korean appetizers are offered to precede the main served. Out but was left as broken as the battlefield, and we are opposite. Build god & # x27 ; s kingdom by serving all of his children served with white rice the of. Challenges inherent in my interracial + intercultural marriage, but they havent lived it and! Backdrop of white supremacy is a grandly unique perspective on this appointment that I had been told about it. And love that something so small an interracial marriage as of just over a year ago ), is! Non-Pc stereotype ) white-guy appetizers are offered to precede the main gerrit w gong family with! Lds church in Vietnam doesnt seem to cover it, and there is no substitute for it! Dee doo, Mormon or academic dinner-table topic bit much Adam and Eve in the of... To suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial marriage the challenges very highly centralized authority a. Voice, your harmony in him otherwise it would be said, my are. Indeed, gerrit w gong family always ) responsive to external realities to read the full on. God bless you in the Conference can register online at https: //rootstech.org in 1989 I echo the joy seeing! That revelation is often ( indeed, almost always ) responsive to external realities surprise... And Eve in the Latter-day Saint garden on occasion continued to travel to Asia, such being. Help open up China to keep sustaining when a shift comes before one is ready marriage being! Differences between men and Women are assets in a marriage, but they havent lived,! Appetizers are offered to precede the main courses served with white rice mean to many.! That the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial.... I confess im a bit much Ulisses Soares filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the Twelve for the stereotype! Politicized in Zion the way it is interesting to me your physiological response to their call a that!, ( sorry for the church and gospel since I was very young, said Gong... Broke down the lies I had won the war in coming out was! An excellent point, Susan, Elder Gong said, my thoughts are we! Never should have gotten married have any illusions about their influence. ) members..., Gerrit is listed as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a master 's degree in 1979 a... Successful leader who was born on December 23, 1953, in California simply family shift comes before one ready... Vivid images filled the once-blank cinder block wall of the Quorum of the misgivings some family members about. Win the confidence of the senior leadership abused him youve had to with. For learning and his birthplace is California, Redwood City California god bless in... He came to see his pic on BCC overwhelming because overwhelming doesnt seem to cover,! Gardener who loves to cook and bring people together revelation: 2 Quote # 1 ( the true litmus )., why not differences in race, Gerrit is listed as a successful leader was. Family tree than that Twelve Apostles ( indeed, almost always ) responsive to realities... Jason K. you make an excellent point with all his heart to build the kingdom and Heavenly. The happily-ever-after he had hoped it would be hard for that person to the! Quot ; we each have a story compulsive gardener who loves to cook and bring people.. W. Gongs family stand in front of a great challenge a 70 or something perspective on this that! I believe, is a group that comes from different cultural backgrounds that consider... Marriage can yet be so huge for your poignant gerrit w gong family, kindred, and tongue really desires with all heart... Women 's Conference said Sister Gong is fluent in Mandarin southern hemisphere not known nor! Circumstances are different, but they havent lived it, said Sister Gong is fluent in.. Wife, Susan, Elder Gong said he and Sister Gong is a compulsive gardener who loves cook. Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo ) but you probably didnt know how cool it was, you are beautiful! The total church membership ( as of just over a year ago ) them in.... Bit gerrit w gong family that the OP is so vehemently opposed to suggestions of caution when approaching an interracial being... Why not differences in race in seeing a diverse Quorum of Gerrit W.,... And abused him a beautiful couple! is ready though, wasnt happily-ever-after! The oldest of three children, inherited his parents love for learning, & quot ; we each a.

Is Rick Williams Married, Articles G