Elder D. Martin Goury

Growing up in a small village in Côte d’Ivoire, Elder D. Martin Goury dreamed of becoming a clergyman and serving others.

In October 1992, while in London, England, learning English and getting an education, he met Latter-day Saint missionaries. The missionaries, one of whom was the only native French-speaking missionary in London, gave Elder Goury a copy of the Book of Mormon in French.

He started reading the book and soon received a witness of its truthfulness. When a new pair of missionaries came to his apartment a few months later, he joined the Church. “I remember being very happy,” he said.

His joy increased as the missionaries taught him about the priesthood. “They explained the meaning of the priesthood and how I could use that to serve other people. For me, that was my dream coming true,” Elder Goury said. “I was delighted.”

Dalébé Martin Goury was born on January 30, 1964, to Yoro Goury Maurice and Bame Gaby Odette. He grew up in a village called Lehipa and the cities of Oume and Gagnoa. He married Ruth Simone Kennington in the London England Temple on April 8, 1995. They live in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and have four children.

Elder Goury earned bachelor’s degrees in teaching from CAFOP (Animation and Educational Training Centers) de Man in 1988 and mechanical engineering from London South Bank University in 1997. He has worked as a primary school teacher, design engineer, senior project manager and deputy project director for Cameron, general manager of Nigeria operations for OneSubsea Services, and country operations manager for Schlumberger. Recently, Elder Goury worked for the Church as a leader and member support coordinator.

He was serving as an Area Seventy in the Africa West Area at the time of his call. He previously served as president of the Benin Cotonou Mission, bishop, bishopric counselor, branch president, and elders quorum president.