Bigs Quote by M. Russell Ballard
“There is a big difference between an honest mistake made in a moment of spiritual weakness and a willfull decision to disobey persistently the commandments of God. Those who deliberately choose to violate God's commandments or ignore the standards of the Church, even when promising themselves and others that someday they will be strong enough to repent, are stepping into a dangerously slippery slope upon which many have lost their spiritual footing.”
About This Quote
Source Talk: General Conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2022
Distinguishes accidental sin from deliberate, repeated disobedience, warning of spiritual decline when one knowingly rejects divine commandments.
In simple terms: Accidental mistakes differ from willful, repeated disobedience.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and avoid intentional wrongdoing.
Themes
morality
spirituality
personal responsibility
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
spiritual guidance
When to use this quote
- church discipline
- personal confession
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
Free will
sin
spiritual decline
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between a slip and a pattern?
- What steps can restore spiritual footing after deliberate sin?
A Different Perspective
Even accidental mistakes can erode trust if repeated.
![“It was not the violence of our enemies [in World War I] that would undo us, I thought, but our own spiritual weakness, the shallowness of our convictions.” quote by Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/928/learned-hand-5343_conviction_it-was-not-the-violence-of-our-enemies-i_2418665.jpg)
![“And fathers, . . . listen to [your returned missionary sons], and connect with them in regular, focused conversation. Talk with them in depth about their feelings and desires. Pray with them and give them blessings as they face the important decisions in their future.” quote by M. Russell Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/493/m-russell-ballard-3129_blessing_and-fathers-listen-to-your-returned-miss_319973.jpg)
![“The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before going in with [Larry] Holmes. That would have made all the difference.” quote by Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d63/gerry-cooney-20863_bigs_the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-m_1534.jpg)
