Get Started On Your Custom Engraved Scriptures

What are the Differences Between Mistakes and Sin?

My son recently watched a movie where a young boy, after having made some extremely poor choices, responded simply, “Mistakes were made.” While we sat together watching the film, this tagline grated on my nerves. We all make mistakes, but we have to own them, or we don’t learn and grow.

Let’s be clear though. What is the difference between a sin and a mistake?

In a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks regarding the subject, he said, “Sins result from willful disobedience of laws we have received by explicit teaching or by the Spirit of Christ, which teaches every man the general principles of right and wrong. For sins, the remedy is to chasten and encourage repentance. Mistakes result from ignorance of the laws of God or the workings of the universe or people he has created. For mistakes, the remedy is to correct the mistake, not to condemn the individual.” 1

One of the main purposes of mortality is to learn by our own experience. We do that by choosing for ourselves, making lots of mistakes and trying again. We shouldn’t be chastised for growth. What a great insight as we serve in callings, have children or interact with any human ever!

Sin is intentionally disobeying the Lord or widening the distance between Him and ourselves. When we are choosing to break away from our God, we must recognize it and bring ourselves back to Him through the atoning power of Jesus Christ. Our sins can be swept away. The Lord promised, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18) We can be renewed and made whole.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. highlighted the distinction between an unintended act and an intended one in his famous observation that “even a dog distinguishes between being stumbled over and being kicked” (The Common Law [1963], 7). 1

Some mistakes may be as small as forgetting to wash the dishes on your night but as serious as stepping in front of a car. The consequences of a mistake may be lifelong. There are sometimes consequences that come along with sin that do not go away but the guilt and the pain of our disobedience can be taken by our precious Savior.

Simply put, we choose to sin but make mistakes by accident. The Lord knows the deepest desires of our hearts. He can identify whether we walk foolishly into something by error or by design. For this reason, it is imperative that we listen to the still voice of the Holy Ghost who will help us be right with our Father in Heaven through the perfect gift of His Only Begotten.

May we always be quick to forgive and slow to condemn as we experience growth through trial and error in our own personal journey of mortality.

“Sins and Mistakes,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 1996 General Conference 

Share this post


Leave a comment

1273 comments

  • I was among several other victims of a crypto investment scam and just like others, I was hugely invested in this and ended up falling victim to a million-dollar scam. All efforts to recover our funds through the authorities proved unsuccessful and we could only wait till they can apprehend these people physically. While I was suffering in silence, a friend of mine got a hold of a Crypto recovery team Morphohack Cyber Service, he sent them all the information and their service fee was fair considering how much we have all invested into this investment. Morphohack Cyber Service was able to trace and recover our crypto investment funds and gave us the address of the culprit which we handed over to the authorities, we were amazed at how quickly we were able to recover our crypto investment funds. It’s disheartening how low people could go to defraud another but I’m hugely grateful for the services of Morphohack. They were very helpful and professional.
    Thier Contact: MORPHOHACK@CYBERSERVICES.COM
    Whats App: +1 2 1 3 6 7 2 4 0 9 2

    • Gary Mullins
  • BITCOIN RECOVERY USA

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I can’t thank JETWEBHACKERS enough! After losing my life savings of $58,000 to a fake broker, I felt completely hopeless. But JETWEBHACKERS didn’t give up on me. They fought tirelessly for weeks and successfully recovered all my money! Now I can focus on my health without the weight of that loss.

    If you’re in a similar situation, reach out to JETWEBHACKERS. They truly care and will fight for you!

    🌐 jetwebhackers.com
    📧 jetwebhackers@gmail.com
    📱 Telegram: @jetwebhackers
    📞 WhatsApp: +1 (704) 252-2290

    • sharon stone
  • Few months ago, I found myself in a suicidal situation one of which could have taken my life having lost access to my Bitcoin. I became so depressed that I had to inquire on how to recover lost digital asset them I stumbled upon a review that spoke about “ TROJANHACK CYBER SECURITY COMPANY who became my guiding light.

    I had lost a staggering 7 BTC and 25,000 USDT. it felt as though my whole world was crumbling around me and hopelessness enveloped me. From our very first interaction, their team exhibited a remarkable blend of professionalism, empathy, and dedication that truly distinguished them.

    TROJANHACK CYBER SECURITY COMPANY took the time to delve into my circumstances, patiently listening to my concerns and addressing every one of my questions. They provided a comprehensive overview of the recovery process, outlining the precise steps they would take to reclaim my lost funds. Their unwavering transparency and open lines of communication throughout the entire experience were truly commendable.

    What impressed me the most was TROJANHACK’s profound expertise in the realm of Bitcoin retrieval. They harnessed cutting-edge technology and implemented sophisticated techniques to navigate the intricate landscape of the blockchain. Their meticulous methodology and keen attention to detail were apparent in every action they undertook.

    After countless hours of diligent work, TROJAN HACK CYBER SECURITY COMPANY succeeded in recovering my Bitcoin. The moment I received the news, a wave of emotions washed over me as I can’t hide my feeling of relief, gratitude, and sheer amazement at the incredible feat they had accomplished. TROJANHACK not only restored my lost assets but also rekindled my belief in the possibility of recovering cryptocurrencies.

    Through their innovative strategies and unwavering determination, TROJANHACK CYBER SECURITY COMPANY did not only retrieved my lost BTC but also educated me on the best practices for securing digital assets. Their commitment to client success and professionalism are truly worthy of recognition. If you find yourself in a similar predicament, do not hesitate to reach out to this reputable recovery firm as they are undoubtedly the best in the business, and they will tirelessly advocate for the recovery of your stolen funds.

    URGENTLY HIRE TROJANHACK CYBER SECURITY COMPANY TODAY TO GET SUPPORT IN RECOVERING YOUR STOLEN CRYPTO .

    Email: Trojanhack@qualityservice.com

    • Charlotte Adams
  • I was among several other victims of a crypto investment scam and just like others, I was hugely invested in this and ended up falling victim to a million-dollar scam. All efforts to recover our funds through the authorities proved unsuccessful and we could only wait till they can apprehend these people physically. While I was suffering in silence, a friend of mine got a hold of a Crypto recovery team Morphohack Cyber Service, he sent them all the information and their service fee was fair considering how much we have all invested into this investment. Morphohack Cyber Service was able to trace and recover our crypto investment funds and gave us the address of the culprit which we handed over to the authorities, we were amazed at how quickly we were able to recover our crypto investment funds. It’s disheartening how low people could go to defraud another but I’m hugely grateful for the services of Morphohack. They were very helpful and professional.
    Thier Contact: MORPHOHACK@CYBERSERVICES.COM
    Whats App: +1 2 1 3 6 7 2 4 0 9 2

    • Gary Mullins
  • Reclaiming lost or stolen digital assets can be a complex and frustrating process, but with the right expertise and diligence, it is possible to recover what was once thought to be irretrievable. That’s the experience I had when I enlisted the help of Wizard Hilton Cyber Tech, a specialized firm that uses cutting-edge investigative techniques and blockchain forensics to track down and retrieve misappropriated cryptocurrencies and other virtual holdings. After falling victim to an online scam that swindled me out of a sizable Bitcoin investment, I was left feeling helpless and resigned to the fact that my funds were gone forever. However, a colleague referred me to Wizard Hilton, and I was pleasantly surprised by their professionalism and commitment to leaving no stone unturned. Through a meticulous investigation that involved meticulously tracing the flow of my stolen Bitcoin across numerous wallet addresses and exchange platforms, the Wizard Hilton team was able to identify the perpetrators and initiate the legal process to have my assets returned. It was a lengthy and at times painstaking ordeal, but their dogged determination and deep technical expertise in the world of cryptocurrency paid off, and I ultimately had the immense satisfaction of seeing my Bitcoin balance restored. This experience underscores the importance of partnering with seasoned, reputable specialists when dealing with complex digital asset recovery – they possess the specialized knowledge and investigative resources to give victims of crypto-related crimes a fighting chance at reclaiming what is rightfully theirs. Send a message direct on Whatsapp via:
    Email : wizardhiltoncybertech ( @ ) gmail (. ) com    
    OR
    support ( @ ) wizardhiltoncybertech (.) com

    WhatsApp number +13024457895

    • barryjuliet