This brief video highlights the speech given recently at BYU by W. Bradford Wilcox where he discusses the necessity of adopting a marriage mindset in America. Wilcox, the director of the National Marriage Project, delivered this forum address on November 28, 2023.
Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology’s tale of King Midas, who, dissatisfied with his life, inadvertently turned his daughter into gold, Wilcox shared the story during a forum at Brigham Young University on November 28. He argued that contemporary society is plagued by a “Midas mindset,” where careers, education, and money take precedence over marriage and family.
Despite various articles advocating for freedom from family life as the key to happiness, Wilcox presented research indicating that married individuals tend to be happier than their single counterparts. Citing data from the General Social Survey, he emphasized that while education and satisfying jobs contribute to happiness, being married is a more potent predictor of happiness for ordinary Americans.
Wilcox highlighted additional benefits of marriage, such as married people in their 50s having ten times more financial assets than their single peers and happily married individuals experiencing longer lives. He asserted that the connections we form with others are more crucial to our well-being than material wealth, countering the priorities associated with the Midas mindset.
Despite the profound happiness that marriage brings, Wilcox expressed concern over a 65% drop in marriage rates since 1970, indicating that one in three young adults today may never marry. However, he identified four groups—Asian Americans, conservative people, religious people, and college-educated people—who consistently forge strong, happy marriages despite societal trends.
Wilcox outlined five key pillars for successful marriages: Communion (a “we before me” mindset), Children (recognizing their dependence on parental stability), Commitment (emphasizing fidelity and loyalty), Cash (acknowledging the practical importance of money), and Community (surrounding the couple with supportive relationships).
Contrary to popular opinions that frame tradition, especially religious tradition, as a hindrance to happiness, Wilcox presented survey findings showing that couples attending church together are almost 20 percentage points more likely to be very happy in their marriages. He urged the promotion of a “marriage mindset” in high schools, colleges, social media, churches, and homes to build a culture centered around the importance of love, rather than the illusory pursuit of gold.
About William Bradford Wilcox
William Bradford Wilcox is an American sociologist. He serves as director of the National Marriage Project and professor of sociology at the University of Virginia, senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.
Wilcox is the author of a forthcoming book “Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization,” due to be published on February 13, 2024, by HarperCollins.[3] New York Times columnist David Brooks called the book “vitally important.” “As a culture, we could improve our national happiness levels by making sure people focus most on what is primary — marriage and intimate relationships — and not on what is important but secondary — their career,” Brooks writes (Wikipedia)
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, dove into their Chinese and Irish ancestry during Family Discovery Day (March 4, 2023) at the 2023 RootsTech global genealogy conference.
In the pre-recorded 46-minute broadcast, embedded below, the Gongs visit Hawaii and Ireland to walk where some of their ancestors walked.
All Talks by Elder 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.
Gerrit W. Gong
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.
Personal Life
Gerrit W. Gong was born in Redwood City, California, in 1953. He married Susan Lindsay in January 1980. They are the parents of four children and three grandchildren.
He has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary, seminary teacher, bishop, stake mission president, stake president and Area Seventy.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian and University Studies from Brigham Young University in 1977. 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.
Professional Life
Elder Gong had served as a General Authority Seventy from April 3, 2010 until the time of his call to the Twelve. He was named a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on October 6, 2015. 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.
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. He was assistant to the president for planning and assessment at Brigham Young University until April 2010.
(as found in ChurchofJesusChrist)
RootsTech 2023 is Now Available On Demand
Search Here The On-Demand Library
Find what you’re looking for in more than 1,500 sessions on 185 topics in over 30 languages.
Family Discovery Day at RootsTech 2022 (FamilySearch)
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Rosana, will be the featured keynote speakers on Saturday, March 5, during Family Discovery Day a free, all-virtual event held during RootsTech 2022. To enjoy the Soares’ message and the full…
Since 2011 RootsTech by FamilySearch has been a family gathering unlike any other. The annual conference, first held in Salt Lake City, Utah, has grown and changed since those early days. From in-person to the entirely virtual, world-wide conference held just last year, RootsTech has always been a celebration of connection—past, present and future
RootsTech 2023 was held from March 2 to March 4, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Keynote speakers included: Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Sister Susan Gong, Sean Astin, Jordin Sparks, His Highness Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Me Ra Koh, Tuti Furlan, Mona Magno-Veluz, and Steve Rockwood.
The three-day RootsTech conference featured several keynote speakers. The videos to their speeches are hyperlinked below.
- Sean Astin, an award-winning actor, producer and director. He talked about how not all families are alike and how we can establish wholesome united relationships.
- Jordin Sparks, a multiplatinum recording artist, winner of “American Idol” Season 6 and actress. She shared her personal story and speak to the power of uniting through song and word.
- His Highness Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, a major contributor to achieving sustainability and food security in the United Arab Emirates. He was awarded the Medal of Excellence for being an important figure in sustainable investment.
- Me Ra Koh, a prominent photographer and Sony Artisan who is sponsored by Pictureline. She shared her own story about how to be a living portrait of resilience.
- Tuti Furlan, an influential psychologist in Guatemala who specializes in positive psychology and the science of happiness.
- Mona Magno-Veluz, National President of the Autism Society Philippines. She designed and engineered initiatives that empower persons on the autism spectrum and those who care for them.
- Steve Rockwood, president and CEO of FamilySearch. He focused on how to unite past, present and future family (for more information on Newsroom)
- Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, dove into their Chinese and Irish ancestry during Family Discovery Day (March 4, 2023) at the 2023 RootsTech global genealogy conference.
RootsTech 2023 is Now Available On Demand
Search Here The On-Demand Library
Find what you’re looking for in more than 1,500 sessions on 185 topics in over 30 languages.
Family Discovery Day at RootsTech 2022 (FamilySearch)
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Rosana, will be the featured keynote speakers on Saturday, March 5, during Family Discovery Day a free, all-virtual event held during RootsTech 2022. To enjoy the Soares’ message and the full…
What Is RootsTech?
The world’s largest family history gathering will start in a few days, on March 2, 2023, and registration for the event is open.
RootsTech is scheduled for March 2–4, 2023, and will include an in-person event in Salt Lake City, Utah and an extensive online conference.
RootsTech is a place to learn, be inspired, and make connections through family history. Hosted by FamilySearch and sponsored by other leading genealogy organizations, Rootstech has hundreds of expert classes, tips and tricks videos, and inspiring stories that can help you experience family history like never before. Visit the on-demand learning library, or make plans to join for the next virtual or in-person conference event.
Rootstech 2023 marks the 13th year of the conference, but it will be the first year since 2020 that the in-person experiences are being offered for the popular global event, which has been completely virtual since 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The theme for RootsTech 2023 is “Uniting.”
“RootsTech really is about uniting … with your family first and foremost, but also to connect with stories and discovery experiences through your family history …“We connect like-minded people who want to gather and learn similar things, [and] with new knowledge, learning, innovation and services that will help you make new connections to your family history.” (Jen Allen, director of events at FamilySearch).
In 2022, over 3 million people participated online. Each year, the event organizers adapt the content to attract people worldwide and to stay current, and the 2023 event for the first time will bring together the best of the virtual and in-person experiences.
Several keynote speakers have already being announced
At Rootstech 2023 there will be inspiring keynotes, entertainment and more than 200 new classes at the event. The Expo Hall will also return with over 200 exhibitors, product demonstrations and interactions with research specialists.
Me Ra Koh, widely known for her and her husband’s Fioria professional photography studio. Koh’s in-person keynote is scheduled for Friday, March 3. Those watching online can also view it live, for free, on the RootsTech site.
Jordin Sparks, a multiplatinum recording artist, winner of American Idol Season 6 and actress
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, will be the featured keynote speakers at Family Discovery Day on Saturday, March 4.
RootsTech is sponsored by FamilySearch. Register now at RootsTech.org.For updates, follow RootsTech on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Search Here the On-Demand Library
Some Older posts about Roostech
Family Discovery Day at RootsTech 2022 (FamilySearch)
Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Rosana, will be the featured keynote speakers on Saturday, March 5, during Family Discovery Day a free, all-virtual event held during RootsTech 2022. To enjoy the Soares’ message and the full…
2021 RootsTech Connect: Elder Jeffrey R. and Sister Holland
More than 1 million family history enthusiasts participated in RootsTech Connect 2021, many for the very first time, making this the largest gathering in the event’s 10-year history. Participants from over…
FamilySearch RootsTech Connect Attracting Participants From 167 Countries
Since registration opened for RootsTech Connect 2021 last month, more than 106,000 people from 167 countries have signed up for the virtual event. And 86% of them have never attended RootsTech before.
The Family History Library on Temple Square in Salt Lake City has become now the FamilySearch Library. Also, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 5,700-plus family history centers around the world are now called FamilySearch centers.
Have you ever wondered about your ancestors and what their lives were like?
Well, finding out is now easier than ever. FamilySearch helps people discover their ancestors online at FamilySearch.org and in FamilySearch centers around the world.
That means FamilySearch is more than just a website. It’s also place you can go, where friendly people are ready to help you get your family tree growing. They want to make sure you are successful in learning more about your family.
You have access to more records at a FamilySearch center than you can find on the website. Plus, you can also access other premium resources all for free. With over 5000 FamilySearch centers worldwide, you have the tools you need right in your neighborhood to discover your family history.
Start your adventure today…at your FamilySearch center.
Find your nearest FamilySearch center: https://www.familysearch.org/en/cente…
What is FamilySearch?
FamilySearch is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people all over the world connect with their family: past, present, and future. The partnerships with thousands of record custodians and major genealogical organizations allow FamilySearch to make billions of records available for you to research your family tree free of charge! Regardless of where or how you research your ancestry, FamilySearch has specialists all over the world to help you experience the joy of connecting with your heritage.
Other Posts about FamilySearch
Registration Now Open for RootsTech 2023 by FamilySearch
Global online conference adds in-person experience March 2–4, 2023 The world’s largest family history gathering, Rootstech, sponsored by FamilySearch, will return in 2023, and registration for the event is now open. RootsTech is scheduled for March 2–4, 2023, and this…
Family Discovery Day at RootsTech 2022 (FamilySearch)
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Rosana, will be the featured keynote speakers on Saturday, March 5, during Family Discovery Day a free, all-virtual event held during RootsTech 2022. To enjoy the Soares’ message and the full…
Global online conference adds in-person experience March 2–4, 2023
The world’s largest family history gathering, Rootstech, sponsored by FamilySearch, will return in 2023, and registration for the event is now open.
RootsTech is scheduled for March 2–4, 2023, and this year will include an in-person event in Salt Lake City, Utah, to complement its extensive online conference. Millions of virtual and in-person attendees are expected to gather for inspiring learning opportunities that will help them connect to their family — past, present and future.
Though 2023 marks the 13th year of RootsTech, it will be the first year since 2019 that the in-person experiences are being offered again. Rootstech has been completely virtual since 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The theme for RootsTech 2023 is “Uniting.”
In 2022, over 3 million people participated online.
This year there will be inspiring keynotes, entertainment and more than 200 new classes at Rootstech. The Expo Hall will also return with over 200 exhibitors, product demonstrations and interactions with research specialists.
Register now at RootsTech.org. For updates, follow RootsTech on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. (For more details see this article on the Church Newsroom)
Rootstech posts from former years
Volunteers are busy ensuring that information about the 1950 U.S. Census indexed by computers is complete and accurate. By participating, you are helping people to discover details about their family that have been hidden for 72 years.
What can I find in the 1950 Census?
Among the details you can find about your ancestors are basics like their age in 1950, their address, sex, race, and if they were married. You may also find out what they did for a living.
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Try finding your own family
Many of the areas enumerated in the 1950 U.S. Federal Census can now be browsed for free on FamilySearch.
Not sure where to start?
Learn how to find the images that are most likely to include your family.
Help make history
Join thousands of volunteers who are helping to make the 1950 US Census searchable online for free.
About the 1950 Census
On April 1, 2022, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) made population records from the 1950 Census available to the public for the first time.
The Census Bureau conducts the decennial census—the once-a-decade population and housing count of everyone living in the United States. For 72 years, personal census responses are confidential. Once a census is final and results are issued, the Census Bureau transfers the records to NARA. NARA is then responsible for storing and protecting all census records before releasing them to the public after 72 years.
1950 Census Historical Facts
Population
| 151,325,798 | U.S. Resident Population |
| 42.6 | Population per square mile of land area |
| 14.5 | Percent increase of population from 1940 to 1950 |
| 48 | Number of States |
The 1950 Census
| Cost | $91,462,000 |
| Cost per Capita (cents) | 60.4 |
| Total Pages in Published Reports | 61,700 |
| Number of Enumerators | 142,962 |
| Census Bureau Director | Roy Victor Peel |
| Number of Questions on the Questionnaire | N/A |
| Number of Questions on the Long Form | N/A |
10 Largest Urban Places
| Rank | Place | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York City, NY | 7,891,957 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | 3,620,962 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | 2,071,605 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | 1,970,358 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | 1,849,568 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | 949,708 |
| 7 | Cleveland, OH | 914,808 |
| 8 | St. Louis, MO | 856,796 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | 802,178 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | 801,444 |
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Rosana, will be the featured keynote speakers on Saturday, March 5, during Family Discovery Day a free, all-virtual event held during RootsTech 2022.
To enjoy the Soares’ message and the full Family Discovery Day program online on Saturday, March 5, at noon (Mountain Standard Time) or to participate in the RootsTech 2022 virtual conference on March 3-5, register today at RootsTech.org.
View the presentation on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or on RootsTech.org, where it will also be archived for on-demand viewing.
Part of the Soares’ message will originate from their homeland of Brazil, where they have deep roots. Both were born in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, and both will draw from and share their family experiences on location. (Read the full article here)
What is RootSTech?
RootsTech is a global event that combines family history and technology and offers a forum where people of all ages across the globe can learn about genealogy, discover their family heritage, share memories and make meaningful connections.
It was first organized in 2011 by FamilySearch International, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This theme for this year’s RootsTech conference is “Choose Connection.”
Who is speaking at RootsTech 2022?
FamilySearch has announced a diverse lineup of keynote speakers. These main stage sessions, featuring two keynote speakers at a time, will be available in 11 languages.
Thursday, March 3:
- 10 a.m. MST — FamilySearch CEO Steve Rockwood and French baker Apollonia Poilâne.
- 8 p.m. MST — Palestinian comedian and actress Maysoon Zayid and actor Matthew Modine.
Friday, March 4:
- 2 p.m. MST — Argentine singer Diego Torres and Brazilian actress Thaís Pacholek.
Saturday, March 5:
- 10 a.m. MST — Food Network’s Molly Yeh and African boxing champion Azumah Nelson.
- Elder Ulisses Soares, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, will be the featured keynote speakers at the event’s Family Discovery Day.
Participating in RootsTech allowed Modine to learn more about his own family heritage.
“It’s always interesting to speak to somebody who is curious about your life,” Modine said in a Deseret News interview prior to the conference. “No matter what walk of life you come from, learning about your past through discussion and sharing information about your family is a revelation. In this case with RootsTech, it becomes magnified by the fact that the organization has the ability to reach into your past and help you learn and understand things about your family that you didn’t know.” (read the full article here)
Virtual event scheduled for March
Registration is now open for RootsTech 2022, the largest family history event in the world. The annual event, sponsored by FamilySearch, is being held online March 3–5, 2022.
RootsTech offers a forum where people of all ages across the globe are inspired to discover and share their memories and make meaningful connections. Register for free at rootstech.org today. RootsTech 2022 will be a virtual-only experience, with some enhancements and improvements. Link to the full article
Rootstech in former years
2021 RootsTech Connect: Elder Jeffrey R. and Sister Holland
More than 1 million family history enthusiasts participated in RootsTech Connect 2021, many for the very first time, making this the largest gathering in the event’s 10-year history. Participants from over…
FamilySearch RootsTech Connect Attracting Participants From 167 Countries
since registration opened for RootsTech Connect 2021 last month, more than 106,000 people from 167 countries have signed up for the virtual event. And 86% of them have never attended RootsTech before.
The 10th anniversary of the world’s largest family history event, RootsTech, held February 26–29, 2020, attracted nearly 30,000 people from all over the world to Salt Lake City.
Personal temple ordinance reservation lists in FamilySearch now have a maximum of 300 rows of reservations per user. This update is to encourage members to not reserve more names than they can realistically get done.
As Latter-day Saints share family names, other relatives and Church members can help complete the ordinances. In this way, Church members can help each other fulfill sacred obligations to their deceased ancestors. In a letter written Oct. 8, 2012, the First Presidency encouraged those with large numbers of reserved family names to “release these names in a timely manner so the necessary ordinances can be performed.”
Read more in the Church News article “FamilySearch announces 300 limit for personal temple ordinance reservations. Here’s why,” which includes questions and answers.
Other posts about Family HIstory and FamilySearch
Computer-Assisted Indexing Is Unlocking Records on FamilySearch for People Worldwide
(Extracts from an article on The Church Newsroom) For decades, FamilySearch camera operators have been taking images of historical records from archives, museums and government buildings around the world. These images are published on FamilySearch.org and can be…
FamilySearch Microfilms Are Now All Available Digitally
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has completed the project to digitize all 2.4 million rolls of microfilm with the records of more than 11.5 billion people from around the world. These are now available to the public online. For 83 years, the Church has…
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