Notable quotes:

“The age-old paradox is still true. 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.” “To belong with God and to walk with each other on His covenant path is to be blessed by covenant belonging.” “While situations differ, when we do all we can, the best we can, and sincerely ask and seek His help along the way, the Lord will guide us, in His time and manner, by the Holy Ghost.” Summary points:

• Covenant belonging centers in Jesus Christ. Every promised blessing comes to those who remain faithful to the end.
• The Book of Mormon is evidence of covenant belonging. It is the promised instrument for the gathering of God’s children prophesied as a new covenant.
• Restored priesthood authority blesses all of God’s children. 
• The blessings of covenant belonging come when one follows the Lord’s prophet and rejoices in covenant living, including in marriage.

Talk summary:

“Covenant belonging is to make and keep solemn promises to God and each other, through sacred ordinances, that invite the power of godliness to be manifest in our lives.”

Covenant belonging centers in Jesus Christ. Every promised blessing comes to those who remain faithful to the end.
“As we honor our covenants, we may sometimes feel we are in the company of angels.” Loved ones on both sides of the veil will be those angels.
Even if one stumbles and falls or loses faith in God, He will always be there to help His children and invite them “to come or return to the covenants that mark His path.”
The Book of Mormon is evidence of covenant belonging. It is the promised instrument for the gathering of God’s children prophesied as a new covenant.
The Book of Mormon invites everyone to enter into a covenant with the Lord to serve Him and keep His commandments. “When we want to change for the better … we can become open to direction, help and strength. We can come by covenant to belong with God and a community of faithful believers, and receive the blessings promised in the doctrine of Christ  — now.”
Restored priesthood authority and power blesses all of God’s children. His priesthood and ordinances sweeten relationships on earth and seal covenant relationships in heaven.
“Priesthood can bless literally from cradle to grave — from an infant’s name and blessing to a grave dedication.”
The blessings of covenant belonging come when one follows the Lord’s prophet and rejoices in temple covenant living, including in marriage.

“Covenant marriage becomes supernal and eternal as we daily choose the happiness of our spouse and family before our own.”

In the news:

• Elder Gong spoke at the G20 Interfaith Forum in Tokyo, Japan, on June 8.
• In May 2019, Elder Gong and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, accompanied President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, on a tour of the Pacific that included Apia, Samoa; Sydney, Australia; Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand; Suva, Fiji; Nuku’alofa, Tonga; and Papeete, Tahiti.
• In a Church News video, Elder Gong gave an inside look into the way President Nelson ministered to Saints in the Pacific. 
• Elder Gong sat down with President Ballard in August to discuss the use of the proper name of the Church — one year after President Nelson issued the statement. 
• The Church released a video in June of Elder Gong sharing his personal testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

About the speaker:

• During his professional travels, Elder Gong has visited all seven continents.
• His mother met the missionaries when she was a teenager in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father joined the Church after attending Stanford University, where his parents met and dated.
• The first time Elder Gong met his wife, Susan Lindsay, was at an evening devotional he volunteered to give at the Provo Missionary Training Center to help the missionaries learn more about Taiwan. They briefly met, but Elder Gong said in that moment, he “had a feeling this was somebody I’d always know.”

Recently on Social:

• In August, Elder Gong shared a clip of his testimony from a new video made by the Church.

• In June 2019, Elder Gong posted photos from the G20 Interfaith Forum in Tokyo, Japan.