Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Sins of Omission

I've been asked several times in my still-short tenure as Bishop about sins of omission. These sins are typically less grievous than sins of commission, but can be serious just the same. Remember, "All that is needed for evil to triumph is for the good people to do nothing." So, you can sin doing the wrong thing. You can sin by doing the right thing at the wrong time. Or, you can sin by doing nothing at all. Basically, most people can safely assume that they're sinning in some form about 90% of the time (99% of the time for senior executives at AIG). However, these sins do not generally need to be confessed.

Here are a few examples to serve as a guide:

  • Forgot to have daily family scripture study, forgot daily family prayer, didn't have weekly FHE, didn't pay tithing, forgot to keep the Sabbath day holy, didn't love thy neighbor - sins of omission
  • Didn't home teach or visit teach for a month - on the line, after three months it definitely becomes a sin of omission
  • Failing to visit the sick and elderly - Yup - sins of omission, unless the elderly smell like mildew
  • Hiding from Brother Hams after sacrament meeting to avoid his hugging - not a sin of omission
  • Knocking doors lightly as a missionary hoping the inhabitants don't hear - maybe a sin of omission
  • Not passing out a Book of Mormon to the traveler sitting peacefully beside you on a airplane listening to an iPod - not a sin
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    5 comments:

    1. The Everyday HousewifeApril 22, 2009 at 2:16 PM

      What about a knock, drop and run visiting teaching visit -- you know the kind -- knock LIGHTLY, drop the plate of goodies carefully on the doorstep, and then RUN! What do you think, Bishop?

      ReplyDelete
    2. Bishop Mike T. YoungApril 22, 2009 at 2:57 PM

      Well, you're doing something, which beats 76% of the others in our Ward. I'd proclaim you - free of VT sin! Back on the mish, this was a well-practiced approach, minus the goodies of course.

      ReplyDelete
    3. Cignul9April 22, 2009 at 4:31 PM

      I love your posts, Mike. Funny stuff. You were linked over at postmormon.org where there is some disagreement about whether any of this is real. You obviously have an LDS background but people are skeptical about your attitude. Usually bishop-types take their religion a bit more seriously. Not that I wouldn't like to see that change! It's hard to fathom why people believe that to become more Christ-like is to become a grumpy old man. Also, there can't be a 401st ward in Springville. Names changed to protect the innocent?

      ReplyDelete
    4. Bishop Mike T. YoungApril 22, 2009 at 7:55 PM

      Real as a three dollar, uhem, two dollar bill! I've found that as Bishop, one has to be flexible, and not just limber, but also caring, compassionate, humble, and handsome. A business background and sharp suits helps as well. Stop by the Ward anytime! Visitors (even from Springville) are always welcome!

      ReplyDelete
    5. FelixAndAvaMay 28, 2009 at 12:11 AM

      I'm firmly convinced God has a sense of humor, so it's not sinful to have one ourselves. If you don't believe He does, just take a look at a platypus.

      ReplyDelete

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