Elder Gong said he and his wife, Sister Gong, recently drove to a place so “dark and beautiful” they could see the Milky Way. He married Susan Lindsay in January 1980. This faith and trust in the Lord, as Elder Gerrit W. Gong expressed in a BYU–Hawaii devotional in 2013, is the pattern after which he has established his life. In her remarks, Sister Gong spoke of individuals’ greatest hope: “Jesus Christ our Savior.”, No one can see the end from the beginning, she said. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-gerrit-w-gong Young adults and their friends are sewing masks, supporting women’s refuge centers, helping with natural disaster clean-up and relief, providing children nutrition, building local communities and other service projects. In 1979, he received a Master of Philosophy degree and in 1981 a Doctorate in international relations from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during a worldwide devotional for young adults on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. Credit: Screenshot YouTube. 49K likes. @gerritwgong: “A favorite part of Christmas is putting up Nativities, also known as creches, throughout our home.…” Hosanna and Hallelujah—The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter April 2020. They are the parents of four children and three grandchildren. During the stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sister Gong said she has been working on a new skill — paper piece quilting. “Heaven is not waiting for the pandemic to end, for me to lose ten pounds, or for you to be married to the person of your dreams for us to become true disciples — to keep His commandments, especially to love the Lord and our neighbors,” Sister Gong said. The purpose, elegance, and harmony of His creations witness His infinite love and His plan of happiness for each of us.”, To “be still” requires conscious effort, while knowing “that [God is] God” requires spiritual openness and humility, Elder Gong explained. “We need you. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, have tested positive for COVID-19. 245.5k Followers, 15 Following, 34 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Gerrit W. Gong (@gerritwgong) “Live worthy so the Holy Ghost can be your companion and help you find what you most need and seek. … And God saw that it was good.”, He added: “God is knowing, powerful, and good. All Nations, Kindreds, and Tongues October 2020. When Melba was 21 years old she befriended a 17-year-old convert named Jean. Elder Gong’s first invitation came from Psalms 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.”. After speaking at a worldwide devotional on Sunday, Jan. 10, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared his invitation for participants to take actions “that will help each of you as you strive to be valiant in your testimonies of Jesus Christ,” in a Facebook post that same night. Elder Soares, a Brazillian, brings long-overdue representation from the southern hemisphere. All rights reserved. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 3, 2010. Elder Gong will share three invitations that will help you become more valiant in the testimony of Christ. Our Campfire of Faith October 2018. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following his call as a General Authority Seventy on April 3, 2010, Elder Gong served in the Asia Area Presidency from 2011 to 2015 and as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, along with his wife Susan Gong, invited 100 young adults from two countries and 14 states to participate in a virtual discussion prior ... youtube.com. In a time defined by isolation, divisiveness and racial tensions, Elder Gerrit W. Gong invited young Latter-day Saints to help create a safe place for all to live the gospel. “As disciples of Jesus Christ, our covenant belonging with God and each other invites us to be good and do good. “Sometimes slowing down in things that matter less helps us find the things that matter most.”, One important way to know God is God is to discern His signature in creations made to gladden the heart, he said. Good Shepherd, Lamb of God April 2019. It will be worth it.”, It matters less if an individual is first or sixth generation than that he or she is valiant in a testimony of Jesus Christ, Elder Gong said. These are invaluable years no matter where you are in your life,” she said. Study and lesson helps: Covenant Belonging – Gerrit W Gong. Gerrit W. Gong. By Elder Gerrit W. Gong Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles We can become, in our own way, part of the fulfillment of the Lord’s prophecies and promises—part of the gospel blessing the world. In small and simple ways, Melba ministered to Jean. For the willing and humble, His is a gospel of second and third chances, to 70 times seven. Apostle Gerrit W. Gong, the highest-ranking leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints known to have contracted COVID-19, has completed his … Later, he was called to the Presidency of the Seventy on October 6, 2015. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Sister Susan Gong will speak at a worldwide devotional for young adults on January 10, 2021. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, speak to young Latter-day Saints during a Worldwide Devotional broadcast from Temple Square on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2020. He married Susan Lindsay in January 1980. “Put another way, we harvest what we plant — good is restored for good, as are righteousness, justice, and mercy.”, Sometimes life will feel unjust with hard, lonely moments, said Elder Gong, then encouraging his listeners to wait on the Lord with anticipation. But gradually as you cut, patiently stitch, and press over and over again a beautiful design emerges.”. “I pray, taken together, these invitations will strengthen your faith and draw you closer to God and those around you, as you find enduring joy on His covenant path,” the Apostle said during the live broadcast from Temple Square on Sunday, Jan. 10. There are Jean Gongs and Melba Oakes all around, Elder Gong said. Elder Gerrit W. Gong was sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018.. 245.5k Followers, 15 Following, 34 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Gerrit W. Gong (@gerritwgong) “It’s hard to see how these bits of color will resolve into a coherent pattern. Elder Gerrit W. Gong speaks in a prerecorded message broadcast during the 190th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. Elder Gong introduced his second invitation — to build relationships that change the future now — by describing a woman named Melba Oakes. Elder Gong’s talk ‘The age-old paradox is still true. A virtual choir performs during a worldwide devotional with Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Born to Walter Gong, a professor of natural sciences, and Jean Char, a schoolteacher, Gerrit W. Gong began his life in Redwood City, California on December 23, 1953. Following his call as a General Authority Seventy on April 3, 2010, Elder Gong served in the Asia Area Presidency from 2011 to 2015 and as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. As we become compassionate and inclusive, and invite others to do the same, our gospel community becomes more open, vulnerable and inviting. “Then, gratitude, and its twin virtue humility, can open my spiritual eyes and ears to the evidences of His generous abundance all around us.”. Elder Gong had served as a General Authority Seventy from April 3, 2010 until the time of his call to the Twelve. In 1985 he served as special assistant to the undersecretary of state at the U.S. State Department and in 1987 as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador in Beijing, China. He had served as a General Authority Seventy from April 3, 2010 until the time of his call to the Twelve. He then quoted Genesis 1:31: “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. “Slowing down declutters my head and heart,” the Apostle said. 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). “As you have guessed, in marrying Walter Gong, Jean became Jean Gong — my dear mother,” Elder Gong said. Where there is spiritual famine in the land, disciples of Christ celebrate Him as the Living Water and the Bread of Life, he said. Elder Gerrit W. Gong was sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. Gerrit W. Gong. Copyright © 2021 Deseret News Publishing Company. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is old news, though we are still glued to our devices. Now is the season to develop talents, to seek out wise and righteous mentors, to create meaningful relationships and to be anxiously engaged in good causes. “We want to be seen as adults, and to be responsible and contribute as adults. He was named a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on October 6, 2015. … We feel Heaven’s blessings as we express our love of God in doing all possible for our brothers and sisters, His sons and daughters, everywhere, in every way we can.”. From 2011 to 2015, Elder Gong was a member of the Asia Area Presidency, headquartered in Hong Kong, and concluded that service as the Area President. From 1989 he served in several positions at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. SALT LAKE CITY — Elder Gerrit W. Gong announced Friday that he and Sister Susan Gong have completed their quarantines 10 days after positive COVID-19 tests for the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Sister Susan Gong will speak at a worldwide devotional for young adults on January 10, 2021. Official Facebook page for Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during a worldwide devotional for young adults on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. Elder Gerrit W. Gong was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. “In His time and way, God will make right injustices, sorrows, disappointments. The counterintuitive process requires the practitioner to turn scraps of fabric into intricate designs by sewing pieces of cloth together upside down and backwards. Do not let the world pretend to offer you things it cannot deliver,” he said. 1) Discusses a family who had been unwelcome in a community because of their being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Susan Gong, wife of Elder Gerrit W. Gong, speaks during a worldwide devotional for young adults on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. Dear brothers and sisters, I recently officiated in a temple sealing, following COVID-19 guidelines. Gerrit W. Gong. Images of young adults are shown during the worldwide devotional with Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (Rick Egan | Tribune file photo) Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Susan Gong, leave the stand after the Saturday morning session of the 188th Annual … Gerrit W. Gong was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. My friends, I recognize you face many challenges, and I know many of... these challenges have been amplified during the pandemic. The Apostle then cited a Church survey that lists the various ways young Latter-day Saints are addressing “pressing humanitarian needs” across the globe. “Today my mother is 94 years old. “I am eternally gratefully to Melba Oakes and everyone who helped my mother when she was new in the gospel.” He also expressed gratitude for his parents who succeeded despite societal prejudices and some Church members with racial prejudices. Gerrit Gong and Susan Gong, my marriage, and why #RepresentationMatters. In speaking to the Church’s 2.3 million young adults ages 18-30 who live in some 180 countries across the globe, Elder Gong — participating with his wife, Sister Susan L. Gong — issued three invitations during the Worldwide Young Adult Devotional. Gerrit W. Gong (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles), “All Nations, Kindreds, and Tongues” Summary Points . Those who keep God’s commandments are and will be ‘blessed in all things.’”. “Slowing down declutters my head and heart,” the Apostle said. “Please come as you are,” he told his young global audience. In a similar way, Sister Gong told young adults, they may feel the plan for their lives is not yet clear. They … March 31, 2018 by Cynthia L. Susan and Gerrit Gong (Church News photograph) There are any number of reasons I couldn’t be happier about the newly-called Elder Gong and Elder Soares. They remained friends after Jean met a wonderful man named Walter, who was baptized and became a faithful Church member and stake patriarch. Gerrit W. Gong Elder Gerrit W. Gong was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. He was named a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on October 6, 2015. He was assistant to the president for planning and assessment at Brigham Young University until April 2010. As individuals slow down and seek with faith, they can acquire an eternal perspective that will help anchor them even as “all things shall be in commotion” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:91). “Living Water,” by Simon Dewey. In a sense, we all become new converts, returning members, new move-ins, each seeking our way.”. Another is to see goodness and meaning in divine relationships — “in tenderness, serendipity, reconciliation, forgiveness, sacrifice.”, Today’s noisy, cluttered world can make it hard to “be still” and “know that I am God,” Elder Gong continued. Apostle Gerrit W. Gong, … Some think multitasking 24/7 increases our value or importance.”, Individuals sometimes try to frame life as “insta-perfect” for an Instagram post, “even though we know ’insta-perfect’ is neither ‘insta-’ nor ‘perfect.’”, Elder Gong said to be still is not to be lonely. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, right, and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, prepare to speak during a worldwide devotional for young adults on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. Gerrit W. Gong was born in Redwood City, California, in 1953. Melba Oakes is 98 years old. A Halloween Day groundbreaking officially launched construction of the Taylorsville Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please hold tightly to the iron rod — or, as a young adult in Manaus, Brazil, put it, ‘feel the steel.’ Determine you will be steadfast and immovable, a strong link in your generations. We can still ‘press forward with steadfastness in Christ and a perfect brightness of hope’ (2 Nephi 31:20) because we know that our loving Heavenly Father has a plan for us.”. Sadly, Elder Gong continued, some of his mother’s friends are no longer in the Church. Elder Gong will share three invitations that will help you become more valiant in the testimony of Christ. “Please be a Melba Oakes or a Jean Gong — build relationships today that change the future, for the coming one, five, or even 77 years.”, The third invitation Elder Gong shared was to “become a better you by working with and beside the Lord of the Harvest.”, Through the law of the harvest — “for whatsoever a man [or woman] soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7) — the Lord can bless individuals with joy in the fruits of their labors, Elder Gong said. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. Deepening Our Relationship with God | A Discussion with Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Young Adults. Elder Gong did not speak live because he was self-quarantining due to a … “Perhaps our lives are unfolding in ways different from what we had hoped for. During the Saturday morning session of general conference, Elder Gerrit W. Gong was called as one of our new apostles. Here are a few facts about this new apostle you should know: He has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary, seminary teacher, bishop, stake mission president, stake president and Area Seventy. They are the parents of four children and three grandchildren. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. He had served as a General Authority Seventy from April 3, 2010 until the time of his call to the Twelve. This is one of the images found in the Approved Selection of Foyer Artwork included with the First Presidency letter on Monday, May 11. Those invitations, the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, have inspired him to deepen his relationship with God, change the future now and become a better version of himself. Italy Milan missionaries — from left, Sisters Cassandra Auger, Morgan Gray, Ryan Woodbury and Halle Wilson — model face masks sent from home outside an apartment in Pordenone, Italy, in May 2020. Credit: Photo courtesy of Sister Gail Browning. In conclusion, Elder Gong also encouraged young adults to worthily hold a current temple recommend, to serve in their local branch or ward, and to create a personal environment that nurtures faith and the keeping of God’s commandments. All need a safe place to ask and seek, to learn and live gospel doctrine and Church culture. “Please, dear brothers and sisters,” Elder Gong said, “be still, and know that [God is] God.”. Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares a photo of the Milkway during a Worldwide Devotional for young adults on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2020. 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. They have been friends in the gospel for 77 years.”. We want church to be a place where we don’t judge each other and we repent if someone feels we are judging them in a hurtful way.”. Apostle Gerrit W. Gong, who emerged more than two weeks ago from quarantine after contracting COVID-19, presided at the small-scale, socially distanced ceremony. December 30, 2020 at 8:38 AM. Superficiality, mirages, secular rabbit holes distract and confuse. To those who are the only member in his or her family, Elder Gong said, “You are valiant and faithful, but often it is hard. He was named a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on October 6, 2015. However, I also know how I—and many others—have been able to gain strength through Jesus Christ in difficult times. Elder Gong said to be still is not to be lonely. “We don’t remember how noisy the kitchen fan is until we turn it off. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian and University Studies from Brigham Young University in 1977. Covenant Belonging October 2019. He has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary, seminary teacher, bishop, … Gerrit W. Gong was born in Redwood City, California, in 1953. In losing our worldly self through covenant belonging, we find and become our best eternal self—free, alive, real—and define our most important relationships. “That does not mean that we are waiting for life to begin.

Avant Skincare Micellar Water, Canopy Bed Frame Queen Walmart, Absa Menlyn Maine Branch Code, Online Kirana Store, Vakeel Saab Movie Release Date, Government Jobs For Disabled Individuals, Best Self-tanning Lotion, Lr Agl Goku, Leveluk K8 Filter Replacement, Buka Hatimu Chord, Grainger County Schools Pay Scale,