The Church in Daloa, Ivory Coast

Our Heavenly Father always invites His people to keep records of the proceedings of their lives. This commandment was given to the Nephites, “And it came to pass that the Lord commanded me, wherefore I did make plates of ore that I might engraven upon them the record of my people. And upon the plates which I made I did engraven the record of my father, and also our journeying in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father; and also many of mine own prophecies” (1 Nephi 19:1). These writings constitute a status of the progress of the people of Daloa.

Church history is a blessing for present and future generations. This mission about Church history record keeping is entrusted to the clerk. “It is the duty of the Lord’s clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion, and . . . also their manner of life, their faith, and works” (Doctrine and Covenants 85:1–2).

HISTORY

“The keys of the kingdom of God are committed to man unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone, which is cut out of the mountain without hand, shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 65:2). Behold is a prophecy of promise that the gospel will reach all the nations and tribes of the earth. The restored gospel will move forward regardless of any situation. We to whom this good news has come, what shall we do? In the following verse we read: “Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 65:5). The Daloa area is the fruit of Heavenly Father’s promise to us, His children. The movement towards Daloa began in 2008, however it was from 2009 that it increased
with the arrival of the Grah family, followed by the Tapé, the Doha family, Brother Botty, and Brother Bayo from Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, and Abidjan.

They set goals for each family, although they did not know each other. Some made announcements on local radios, posters, and even on social media in the hope of meeting the Saints residing in Daloa. They started a small group. Having made contact with the mission presidency, these brothers and sisters met Elder Sitati in a local hotel, where he strengthened them. This meeting took place with a handful of 20 people and allowed us to decide together a place where we would pray. We decided to pray in a private school, “Bambinos.” This first period can be called the period of reunion, where the Saints from all over came together to build the foundation of the Church in Daloa. After the visit of Elder Sitati we met on Sunday, June 30, 2013, where six prayer groups were organized—Brother Kalou as head for Lobia; Brother Zigbe Appolinaire for Kennedy; Brother Tape Bathelemy for Gbeuliville; Bayo Souleymane for Orly; Grah Georges for Marais; and Doha Seraphim for Tazibouo. These six groups were supported by 24 hardworking missionaries. This marked the first time that the sacrament was partaken of in Daloa.

PROGRESS OF WORK: 2013–2014

Six months after the establishment of the Church in Daloa, precisely on February 16, 2014, at the Hotel la Grace, six branches were organized. Armed with faith and hard work, these leaders were committed to working with zeal. The work has had an exceptional progress. This growth is marked by an emphasis on missionary work. These branches, under the auspices of the Yamoussoukro District, have made exceptional progress.

2014–2015

On February 16, 2015, the District of Daloa was organized during the stake organisation conference of the Yamoussoukro Stake of Zion.

2015–2017

On August 27, 2017, the Daloa Stake of Zion was created. The basic unit of the Church was eventually organized in Daloa. This gathering point of Saints, “a banner for the nations” must work with more faith and hope to fulfill its requirements. It is an invitation to all to join in fulfilling the work of our Heavenly Father, which is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). There are now eight branches and four members serving full-time missions.