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

1780 comments

  • RECOVER YOUR LOST CRYPTO ASSETS & IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE WITH ASORE HACK INTELLIGENCE. NO UPFRONT PAYMENT REQUIRED.

    Asore Corp. is a team of Cyber Intelligence, Crypto Investigation, Asset Tracing and ethical hacking experts. Working together to form a private cyber and crypto intelligence group focused on providing results.
    Using the latest Cyber Tools, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Human Intelligence (HUMINT), and cutting edge technology, we provide actionable intelligence to our clients.

    WHY CHOOSE US?
    – Expert Cyber Investigation Services —Our cyber investigators operate professionally and anonymously to crack all firewalls known to man.
    – Cryptocurrency And Digital Asset Tracking — We are able to track the movement of different crypto currencies and assets. If the asset has been moved, we are able to follow it.
    – Strategic Intelligence For Asset Recovery — The first step to recovery is locating recoverable assets. Our experienced team will be able to walk you through the process.

    Schedule a mail session with our team of professionals today via – asorehackcorp (@) gmail (.) com to get started immediately.

    BEWARE of FABRICATED reviews and testimonies endorsing tricksters, do not get scammed twice.

    Disclaimer: Asore Corp. is not a law enforcement agency and not a law firm. Like all legitimate private investigators, we can guarantee specific results. We apply our expertise and resources to every case professionally and ethically.70

    • Hacking Intelligence
  • TRACKING AND CRYPTOCURRENCY RECOVERY-ALMIGHTY RECOVERY COIN IS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION

    Have you lost your cryptocurrencies or been the victim of fraud?
    We are able to help you retrieve your belongings!

    Detailed Evaluation : One of our services is a comprehensive assessment of your circumstances.

    Recovery Techniques: Specialized approaches to recover your funds.
    Private Consultation: We respect your right to privacy.

    Why do people Trust Our Service?
    Qualified Professionals: Our team consists of experienced hacking professionals. 
    Verified History Record: The assets of multiple clients have been successfully retrieved.
    Contact Us Immediately!  
    Email: almightyrecoverycoin@mail.com
    Website: almightyrecoveryco.wixsite.com/almighty-recovery-co
    Whatsapp: +53 5 155 6969

    • Elizabeth Marcus
  • I still remember the exact moment I realized I’d been scammed. The trading platform seemed legitimate: polished dashboards, convincing charts, and even responsive tech support. For months, I watched my Bitcoin grow, reinvesting and increasing it, eventually totaling around $770,000 in BTC. Then, one morning, the site wouldn’t load. My login failed. Tech support was silent. The truth hit me hard: the exchange was gone, and so was my Bitcoin. The blockchain didn’t care about my panic. The transactions were final. I felt foolish, angry, and defeated, all at once. That’s when I heard about Dexdert Net Recovery. I contacted them. No grand promises. No guarantees. Just a thorough review of my case: wallet addresses, transaction hashes, timelines, and the infrastructure of the fake exchange. They treated my loss as an investigation, not a fantasy. Dexdert Net Recovery explained to me that scammers still leave traces of transactions through wallets, interactions with real exchanges, and patterns that can be tracked. I learned more about blockchain analysis during that time than I ever did trading. What once seemed like a dead end slowly became a roadmap. Then came the message I never expected to read: We have identified recoverable assets. The process has been successfully completed. And then the balance shifted. Bitcoin I thought was lost forever reappeared. Some $770,000 worth of BTC, recovered from the ruins of a scam I thought had defined my failure. For me, Dexdert Net Recovery wasn’t about hope, but about persistence, precision, and proving that even in a system designed to be irreversible, the truth can sometimes find its way back.

    Reach Out Information Via

    WhatsApp: (+1 (859) 609‑4156)
    Email: (DexdertNetPro@mail.com)
    Telegram: (https://t.me/Dexdertprorecovery)

    • Tracey Bawden
  • I still remember the exact moment I realized I’d been scammed. The trading platform seemed legitimate: polished dashboards, convincing charts, and even responsive tech support. For months, I watched my Bitcoin grow, reinvesting and increasing it, eventually totaling around $770,000 in BTC. Then, one morning, the site wouldn’t load. My login failed. Tech support was silent. The truth hit me hard: the exchange was gone, and so was my Bitcoin. The blockchain didn’t care about my panic. The transactions were final. I felt foolish, angry, and defeated, all at once. That’s when I heard about Dexdert Net Recovery. I contacted them. No grand promises. No guarantees. Just a thorough review of my case: wallet addresses, transaction hashes, timelines, and the infrastructure of the fake exchange. They treated my loss as an investigation, not a fantasy. Dexdert Net Recovery explained to me that scammers still leave traces of transactions through wallets, interactions with real exchanges, and patterns that can be tracked. I learned more about blockchain analysis during that time than I ever did trading. What once seemed like a dead end slowly became a roadmap. Then came the message I never expected to read: We have identified recoverable assets. The process has been successfully completed. And then the balance shifted. Bitcoin I thought was lost forever reappeared. Some $770,000 worth of BTC, recovered from the ruins of a scam I thought had defined my failure. For me, Dexdert Net Recovery wasn’t about hope, but about persistence, precision, and proving that even in a system designed to be irreversible, the truth can sometimes find its way back.

    Reach Out Information Via

    WhatsApp: (+1 (859) 609‑4156)
    Email: (DexdertNetPro@mail.com)
    Telegram: (https://t.me/Dexdertprorecovery)

    • Tracey Bawden
  • Recover Stolen Crypto: Expert Guide to Legitimate Company DIGITAL TECH GUARD RECOVERY

    CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW

    WhatsApp: + 1 4 4 3 8 5 9 2 8 8 6

    Telegram: + 1 2 0 9 2 8 3 8 9 1 5

    Email: d i g i t a l t e c h g u a r d r e c o v e r y @ c y b e r d u d e . c o m

    Years ago, I fell victim to an online investment scam that caused me significant financial loss and emotional stress. At the time, I felt frustrated, embarrassed, and unsure if I would ever be able to recover the money I had worked hard to earn. Like many others, I trusted what appeared to be a legitimate investment opportunity, only to later realize it was fraudulent. After trying different options with no success, I came across Digital Tech Guard Recovery. From the very beginning, their team was professional, patient, and transparent about the recovery process. They carefully reviewed my case, explained each step clearly, and kept me informed throughout the entire journey. What stood out most was their dedication and consistent communication, which gave me confidence and hope. Through their expertise and persistence, Digital Tech Guard Recovery successfully helped me recover my funds. Their support not only helped restore my finances but also my peace of mind. I am truly grateful for their assistance and for giving me a second chance after such a difficult experience.

    • Vivian Katie