A familiar face for longtime members of the Church in Shanghai and the Asia Area in general has just been called as an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, the first Apostle with Chinese ancestry who is also a Mandarin speaker, joins Elder Ulisses Soares of Brazil as our two new Apostles, making the international flavor of the Church more visible in its top leadership. The announcement at MormonNewsroom.com is one to celebrate. And not just because Elder Gong’s wife, Susan Lindsay, a daughter of Richard P. Lindsay, is a Lindsay. But I must mention that she is a remarkably intelligent woman who will continue to influence the Church for good.

Both of these new Apostles are intelligent, kind, sensitive men who will contribute much to the strengthening of the Church and the expansion of its ministry. I can’t wait to hear from them again!

With a Mandarin speaking Apostle and a Mandarin speaking President of the Church, I can’t help but think that China and Chinese-speakers all over the world will be increasingly important in days ahead.

And hurray for Brazil and Latin America as well!