Popular Post cinepro Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) Elder Gerrit W. Gong Elder Ulisses Soares The long awaited day when non-white male diversity would come to the Quorum of the 12 has arrived. Expect amazing and ground-breaking change to occur in about 30 years. Edited March 31, 2018 by cinepro 8
carbon dioxide Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 1 minute ago, cinepro said: Elder Gerrit W. Gong Elder Ulisses Soares The long awaited day when non-white male diversity would come to the Quorum of the 12 has arrived. It only makes sense. With more members outside the US, eventually the GA will reflect what the Church is.
Scott Lloyd Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 4 minutes ago, cinepro said: Elder Gerrit W. Gong Elder Ulisses Soares The long awaited day when non-white male diversity would come to the Quorum of the 12 has arrived. Expect amazing and ground-breaking change to occur in about 30 years. Such as? 1
CMZ Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 1 minute ago, Scott Lloyd said: Such as? I think they might mean Elder Gong or Elder Soares becoming the prophet. 1
Scott Lloyd Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 1 minute ago, CMZ said: I think they might mean Elder Gong or Elder Soares becoming the prophet. OK. Got it.
CA Steve Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 3 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said: Such as? You do realize he is being sarcastic, right? 1
Popular Post carbon dioxide Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, pogi said: Gong is a California native. California is pretty much a foreign country. 11
CA Steve Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 Yes but Soares was born in Brasil, so should he live long enough, he would be the first non native Prophet in a long time. A choice from Brasil is interesting.
Popular Post cinepro Posted March 31, 2018 Author Popular Post Posted March 31, 2018 Just now, CA Steve said: You do realize he is being sarcastic, right? To be clear, I'm just poking fun at the people who complained about a lack of "diversity" in the quorum. It's obviously more important whether or not new Apostles have strong testimonies and leadership skills, not what their skin color is. And even if the most progressive firebrand was called to be an apostle, the system isn't set up for him to be able to make meaningful change until he is a senior apostle or the prophet, which isn't going to happen for decades. I don't know much about either of the new Elders, but Elder Gong has an especially strong resume. In spite of what I just said, he will no doubt be an important voice on international matters: Quote 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 PhD in international relations from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. 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. From 1989 he served in several positions at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. 10
Popular Post ksfisher Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2018 13 minutes ago, cinepro said: Elder Gerrit W. Gong Elder Ulisses Soares The long awaited day when non-white male diversity would come to the Quorum of the 12 has arrived. Expect amazing and ground-breaking change to occur in about 30 years. "for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Sam 16:7) Hopefully our new apostles will be remembered for more than the color of their skin. 9
Scott Lloyd Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 5 minutes ago, CA Steve said: You do realize he is being sarcastic, right? The thought occurred to me, but with cinepro I can’t always tell.
Popular Post ElPatron Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2018 Take this for what it’s worth but it did happen.... This week I was In SLC on business. I went Downtown Thursday evening and around 7:30pm a meeting ended at the JMB and all of the visiting General Authorities came pouring out of the building and started making their way to their hotel. I saw Several faces I recognized and one in particular stood out to me and I thought To myself, “he seems to be beaming”. I arrived home yesterday and I told My son about this. Later I looked up all of the General authorities trying to find a picture of this man and i couldn’t find it. Today, I recognized him. It was Elder Gong and I will ALWAYS remember how I saw him that Thursday. Who knows if he had been called by then, but there was a difference in his face amongst all of the others around him. Pretty cool experience. 11
Scott Lloyd Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 Just now, ksfisher said: "for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Sam 16:7) Hopefully our new apostles will be remembered for more than the color of their skin. I have a hunch that’s how they themselves would want it.
Popular Post CA Steve Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2018 13 minutes ago, ksfisher said: "for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Sam 16:7) Hopefully our new apostles will be remembered for more than the color of their skin. I am glad you said "for more than their skin" here because I do think it is fine to recognize not only what they have in common with current members of the twelve but also what unique differences they bring, for example, I think it is a good thing to point out that Elder Uchtdorf is a German native. We have members all over the world for whom it is important for them to see people with whom they share a common cultural background, being recognized at the highest levels. I would expect our Brazilians members to be very excited right now about Elder Soares. 10
Popular Post Traela Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2018 23 minutes ago, cinepro said: To be clear, I'm just poking fun at the people who complained about a lack of "diversity" in the quorum. It's obviously more important whether or not new Apostles have strong testimonies and leadership skills, not what their skin color is. And even if the most progressive firebrand was called to be an apostle, the system isn't set up for him to be able to make meaningful change until he is a senior apostle or the prophet, which isn't going to happen for decades. I don't know much about either of the new Elders, but Elder Gong has an especially strong resume. In spite of what I just said, he will no doubt be an important voice on international matters: With Elder Gong's and President Nelson's combined experience in China, we may see some interesting things start happening. 6
CMZ Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 32 minutes ago, ksfisher said: "for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Sam 16:7) Hopefully our new apostles will be remembered for more than the color of their skin. That's the thing. Now that we have the first real hints of ethnic diversity in the Quorum of the Twelve we all have to remember what was true before that: that their testimonies and service are even more important. Pretty soon ethnic diversity in the Quorum might start seeming rather mundane.
Gray Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 34 minutes ago, Traela said: With Elder Gong's and President Nelson's combined experience in China, we may see some interesting things start happening. Could be difficult, China is moving backwards into greater totalitarianism at the moment. 1
stemelbow Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 They finally listened! I mean it took along time of digging in heels with the heels. Diversity in the quorum is a good thing. Now I’m guessing as diversity continues in the church the church as a whole will be better equipped to gain from its merits.
Jeanne Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 47 minutes ago, Traela said: With Elder Gong's and President Nelson's combined experience in China, we may see some interesting things start happening. I hope it helps all over the place..inside and outside mormonism. 1
Storm Rider Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) I have found that when people have an eye single to the glory of God it does not matter what their gender or race is; they all are going in the same direction and there is a uniformity in desire to serve God without conflict with others. Edited March 31, 2018 by Storm Rider 3
Popular Post Scott Lloyd Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2018 11 minutes ago, stemelbow said: They finally listened! I mean it took along time of digging in heels with the heels. Diversity in the quorum is a good thing. Now I’m guessing as diversity continues in the church the church as a whole will be better equipped to gain from its merits. How sad that one would believe the appointment of these two leaders was driven by public or political pressure rather than divine revelation. 8
Jeanne Posted March 31, 2018 Posted March 31, 2018 Just now, Storm Rider said: I have found that when people have an eye single to the glory of God it does not matter what their gender or race it; they all are going in the same direction and there is a uniformity in desire to serve God without conflict with others. I agree with you..and I praise the LDS church this day. But those same directions have been happening for many moons now..I am glad..but why did it take so long?
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