Talk, Church Guy

Brothers and sisters. Aloha!

My name is Marcel de LIma.
My wife Ellen and I, have been in this ward about six months. Before we got married, we were in Hauula fourth ward.

I am from Brazil and have lived in the U.S. for several years. I've been in Hawaii just over a year.

The topic I was given to speak on is

"How to make choices and become accountable".

There is a well known scripture in Galetians chapter 6, verse 7 that talks about accountability.
(read)

This scripture teaches us that we can choose what we want to do, but that we are also responsible for what comes from our choices.

I grew up in a big city called Sao Paulo in Brazil.

I wasn't a member of the church. When I was a teenager, I use to do some crazy things, as many teenagers do. I remember one night I went out drinking with some friends. When I got home, I got really sick. My dad heard what was going on and came in to talk to me. He sat me down on his bed and gave me some words of wisdom I've never forgotten. He told me many things that night, but one thing in particular never left my mind and has changed the way I act. He said that everything I do in life, I will be the one to suffer the consequences. It won't be my friends or my parents or anyone else, only me.

This advice from my dad helped me because it made me realize how important my decisions are.

I am the one who has to live with the consequences of my choices, whether they be positive or negative. When I make a bad choice, I have to deal with the way that choice will effect my life. I can't blame it on someone else. Similarly, when I make a good choice I benefit from the blessings I receive.

That is my testimony about "How to make choices and become accountable" and want to say that before I became a member I felt that this is the church of Christ in the earth. in name of Christ amen