General Conference Applied
S4 E29 – Thursday, March 13, 2025 | “Be Thou Clean” by Elder D. Martin Goury; October 2024 General Conference
Listen on Amazon Music [insert episode link] | Listen on Apple Podcasts [insert episode link] | Listen and/or Watch on Spotify [insert episode link] | Watch on YouTube [insert episode link]
Podcast Episode Social Media Posts
- Facebook | Instagram
Podcast Episode Outline
Introduction
Bio
- “Elder D. Martin Goury was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2024 general conference. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Third Quorum of the Seventy in the Africa West Area.
“Elder Goury has served in a number of Church callings, including elders quorum president, counselor in a bishopric, branch president, bishop, and president of the Benin Cotonou Mission.
“Elder Goury received a bachelor of science degree in teaching from CAFOP de Man in 1988 and a bachelor of mechanical engineering degree from London South Bank University in 1997. He has worked as a primary school teacher, a design engineer for Flexitallic Ltd., a senior project manager and deputy project director for Cameron, a general manager of Nigeria operations for OneSubsea Services, and country operations manager for Schlumberger. Most recently, he has worked for the Church as a leader and member support coordinator.
“Dalébé Martin Goury was born in Gagnoa, Côte d’Ivoire, on January 30, 1964. He married Ruth Simone Kennington in 1995. They are the parents of four children.” - This was Elder Goury’s first general conference address.
- “‘As long as I rely on Him’: Elder Goury’s journey from 29-year-old convert to General Authority Seventy“
Wonderful Promises
- Repent daily: “As we repent earnestly, we are sanctified through the Savior’s blood, increasing our sensitivity to the promptings and influence of the Holy Ghost.” -Elder Goury
- Turn to Heavenly Father, prophets, and apostles for guidance: “When we consciously choose to follow the guidance of prophets and apostles, our capacity to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion grows. The Holy Ghost provides clarity in decision-making, prompting thoughts and impressions that align with our Heavenly Father’s will.” -Elder Goury
- Be receptive (i.e., “willing to consider or accept new suggestions and ideas”) to the Holy Ghost: “When we are receptive to the guidance of the still, small voice, we are better equipped to more effectively minister to those in need.” -Elder Goury
Invitation One
What is the speaker inviting me to do?
- “If there is something that you have not fully repented of, I encourage you to heed President Nelson’s call not to procrastinate your repentance.” -Elder Goury
- In my own words: Repent daily.
Why does it matter, or why is it important? (Doctrines, Principles, Christlike Attributes)
- Christlike Attribute: “I repent of my sins and strive to overcome my weaknesses. (Doctrine and Covenants 49:26–28; Ether 12:27)” (Virtue)
- “[26] Behold, I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you; repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you. [27] Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded. [28] Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly. Even so. Amen.”
- “[27] And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”
What’s in it for us? (Promises)
- “It may require some courage to engage in this process; however, I can assure you that the joy that emanates from genuine repentance surpasses understanding. Through repentance, our burdens of guilt are lifted and replaced with a sense of peace and tranquility. As we repent earnestly, we are sanctified through the Savior’s blood, increasing our sensitivity to the promptings and influence of the Holy Ghost.” -Elder Goury
- “Daily repentance allows us to discern the guidance of the Lord through the Holy Ghost.” -Elder Goury
How will we take action? (Directives, Personal Revelation)
- “During the April 2022 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson invited every member of the Church to experience the joy of daily repentance. He said:
“‘Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life! Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent. …
“‘If you feel you have strayed off the covenant path too far or too long and have no way to return, that simply is not true.'” -Elder Goury - President Russell M. Nelson, “Now Is the Time to Prepare“, April 2005 General Conference: “Trials and tests apply to rich and poor alike. Years ago I was asked to perform an operation upon a very wealthy man. A surgical biopsy confirmed that he had an advanced cancer that had spread throughout his body. As I reported this news, his immediate response was to rely upon his wealth. He would go anywhere or do anything to treat his condition. He thought he could buy his way back to health. But he soon passed away. Someone asked, ‘How much wealth did he leave?’ The answer, of course, was, ‘All of it!’
“His priorities were set upon things of the world. His ladder of success had been leaning against the wrong wall. I think of him when I read this scripture: ‘Behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is … too late.’
“In radiant contrast, Sister Nelson prepared throughout her life for the time when she would return to God. She lived each day as though it were her last. She cherished every hour, knowing that time on earth is precious.
“Some people live as if there were no day of reckoning. Others waste today’s time with a disabling fear of tomorrow or a paralyzing preoccupation over mistakes of yesterday. Each of us might well heed the words of a poet, as posted on a sundial:
“‘The shadow by my finger cast
“‘Divides the future from the past:
“‘Before it, sleeps the unborn hour,
“‘In darkness, and beyond thy power:
“‘Behind its unreturning line,
“‘The vanished hour, no longer thine:
“‘One hour alone is in thy hands,—
“‘The NOW on which the shadow stands.'” - This quote from President Nelson reminded us of Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s fantastic book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People“
- Mitch: I will keep better track of the events of each day for two purposes: 1) To show my Heavenly Father that I “[cherish] every hour, knowing that time on earth is precious”; 2) To know what I need to repent of at the conclusion of each day.
Invitation Two
What is the speaker inviting me to do?
- “The advent of the internet has made information more accessible than ever before. This can lead us to turn to the world for guidance rather than to God. … When we consciously choose to follow the guidance of prophets and apostles, our capacity to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion grows.” -Elder Goury
- In my own words: Turn to Heavenly Father, prophets, and apostles for guidance.
- “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI” by Ethan Mollick
Why does it matter, or why is it important? (Doctrines, Principles, Christlike Attributes)
- Christlike Attribute: “I willingly obey the mission rules and follow the counsel of my leaders. (Hebrews 13:17)” (Obedience)
- “[17] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
What’s in it for us? (Promises)
- “When we consciously choose to follow the guidance of prophets and apostles, our capacity to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion grows. The Holy Ghost provides clarity in decision-making, prompting thoughts and impressions that align with our Heavenly Father’s will.” -Elder Goury
How will we take action? (Directives, Personal Revelation)
- “Having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion is crucial for our spiritual growth.” -Elder Goury
- “Prophets See around Corners” by Sheri Dew: “There is a crucial difference between prophets, seers, and revelators and the rest of us: They have priesthood keys that allow them to see things we do not yet see and understand things we do not yet understand. … A seer has the capacity to see the future and reveal truth, because the Lord does ‘nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.’
“This is why prophets have the ability to make us smarter than any other leaders or influencers on earth can. Prophets help us see dangers we cannot yet see and opportunities we cannot yet imagine.
“I have experienced this myself. In the October 1998 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley admonished members to get out of debt. His message touched me in a way that made me know I needed to act upon it. I had just purchased a home and taken out what, for me, was a big loan. But as I listened to President Hinckley, I had the clear impression that I should try to pay off the loan. My accountant told me I was crazy because the interest rate on my mortgage was so low that it was like borrowing ‘free money.’
“Nonetheless, the prophet had spoken, and I knew I should do what he said. It took some work, but in just a few years I managed to pay off my home loan. The relief I felt was instantaneous; however, I had no idea just how important this step would prove.
“Skip ahead to the fall of 2008 – which was exactly ten years after President Hinckley’s warning about debt. The U.S. economy was suddenly plunged into a deep recession. I was still the CEO of Deseret Book, and our sales plummeted overnight. It was as though someone had turned off the revenue spigot. I was worried sick about preserving the jobs of our employees and, frankly, about saving the company. For months I walked the floor at night, trying to figure out solutions to Deseret Book’s problems.
“But one evening as I drove home with what had become an all-too-familiar pit in my stomach, it dawned on me that despite all the pressure I was under, I hadn’t worried for a second about myself. I owned my home, and I owed no money – thanks to the prophet’s counsel ten years earlier. A prophet of God helped me see around a corner. He helped me take a smarter step than I would have taken if left to my own reasoning – not to mention the counsel of ‘experts.'” - Captain Moroni seeking for the prophet Alma’s guidance.
- Mitch: I will listen to an address delivered by the living prophet every day.
Invitation Three
What is the speaker inviting me to do?
- “When we are receptive to the guidance of the still, small voice, we are better equipped to more effectively minister to those in need.” -Elder Goury
- In my own words: Be receptive (i.e., “willing to consider or accept new suggestions and ideas”) to the Holy Ghost.
Why does it matter, or why is it important? (Doctrines, Principles, Christlike Attributes)
- Christlike Attribute: “I seek knowledge and guidance through the Spirit. (1 Nephi 4:6)” (Knowledge)
- “[6] And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.”
What’s in it for us? (Promises)
- “When we are receptive to the guidance of the still, small voice, we are better equipped to more effectively minister to those in need.” -Elder Goury
How will we take action? (Directives, Personal Revelation)
- “As we prepared to depart, Sister Jones asked how we knew of her urgent need for a blessing. The truth is, we didn’t know. However, our Heavenly Father, who was aware of her needs, did know and inspired President Chesnut to visit her home.” -Elder Goury
- President Russell M. Nelson, “Grow into the Principle of Revelation“, January 2021 Liahona article: “Drawing near to the Lord brings comfort and encouragement, hope and healing. So, we pray in His name about our worries and our weaknesses, our longings and our loved ones, our callings and our questions.
“Then we listen.
“If we will stay on our knees for a while after we finish our prayer, thoughts, feelings, and direction will come into our mind. Recording those impressions will help us remember what actions the Lord would have us take.
“As we repeat this process, we will, in the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, ‘grow into the principle of revelation.'” - Mitch: I will stay on my knees for a while after I finish my prayer each morning and each evening and record the impressions that will come.
What will you do?
How will you take action on the invitations extended in this General Conference address?
Conclusion
The focus of our next podcast episode will be the October 2024 General Conference address that was delivered by Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante and was entitled “The Wind Did Never Cease to Blow.”
As we conclude this episode, we would invite you to refer to the podcast episode details for each podcast episode where we have provided important information for connecting with us and further supporting the General Conference Applied Podcast. The best ways to help us are to like and subscribe to the podcast and to share it with others.
Please remember that General Conference Applied is meant to be a supplement for your review of General Conference Addresses. We promise that you will get more out of each General Conference Applied episode when you study the General Conference address first.
Thank you for joining us in this effort to become doers of the word and to take action on general conference invitations.
Tags
Holy Ghost | Promptings | Repentance
Additional Content
Previous Podcast Episode (“‘Ye Are My Friends'” by Elder David L. Buckner)
Next Podcast Episode (“The Wind Did Never Cease to Blow” by Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante)