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Gerrit W. Gong: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Elder Gerrit W. Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Lindsay Gong. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.

Gerrit W. Gong, who is characterized by his kindness, interest in others, love of family, and desire to build the kingdom of God, was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on 31 March 2018, during a Solemn Assembly, during the Saturday morning session of general conference. He is the first Asian-American Apostle. At the time of his call, he had been serving in the Presidency of the Seventy. He had been serving as a member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah South Area when called to serve in the First Quorum of the Seventy at General Conference, April 2010.

Now, as a newly sustained member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he will share a different kind of light with God’s children throughout the world. He has said, "Ours is a worldwide Church. The restored gospel is for every nation, kindred, and tongue."

Elder Gong was born on 23 December 1953 in Redwood City, California, to Walter A. Gong and Jean C. Gong, both professional teachers, who collectively spent more than 70 years in the classroom. He is the oldest of three children and inherited his parent’s love for learning. Thus, he comes to the apostleship with a background rich in education and experience. He is a Rhodes Scholar who worked for the U.S. State Department and for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., and his travels have taken him to all seven continents, including living in Asia for more than a decade.

Elder Gong received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian and university studies at Brigham Young University in 1977. In 1979 he received a Master of Philosophy and in 1981 a Ph.D. in international relations from Oxford University. In 1985 he served as special assistant to the undersecretary of state at the U.S. State Department, and then in 1987, he served as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador in Beijing, China. From 1989 to 2001 he served in many positions for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He was also the assistant to the president for planning and assessment at Brigham Young University.

Both Elder Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Lindsay Gong, served as full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan. Elder Gong has served in numerous Church callings, including stake high councilor, High Priest group leader, stake Sunday School president, bishop’s counselor, Seminary teacher, bishop, stake mission president. and stake president.

Sister Gong has said, "There are three characteristics that are quintessential Gerrit Gong. One, he is unfailingly kind. Two, he is interested in everything, which makes him a fascinating person to live with. Three, he loves the Lord. He really desires with all his heart to build the kingdom and bless Heavenly Father’s children."

Elder and Sister Gong were married in January 1980 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of four sons and have three grandchildren. The couple hosts "grandkids camp" every summer, which includes crafts and adventures, and loves to travel with their sons. They currently reside in Provo, Utah.