Close Topic Options

Omission and Comission

A lot of the times we praise ourselves in not doing certain things. We do not steal, we do not drink coffee, etc. If we were to do these things then they would be sins of 'Comission'. However, if we look further we may see we do not do a lot of things we are supposed to, this is called, 'Omission'.

What are your feelings on the subject?

"[Satan's] objective is the enslavement of God's children. All of his
enticing, alluring temptations have as their root the destruction of the
individual. In fact, each of us needs consistently to repent and obey so
that the gift of the Savior will satisfy the demands of justice for even
our small errors of commission or omission."

(Richard G. Scott, "To Be Free of Heavy Burdens," Ensign, Nov. 2002, 87)

Comission Omission

That's so true JB! sometimes we think we will be judge only for what we have done, but I think we will also be judge for the things we have not done.

Omission and Comission Studies Doctrine Mormon

I think Satan does his best work, or makes his best progress, where sins of omission are being committed.

I say this because, these are the areas where our guard is down, and we are not paying attention.  Perhaps we can't be easily tempted to steal, or cheat, or commit adultery, because we conciously think about the eternal consequences of those actions.  Yet, we fail to study our scriptures on a daily basis and don't see it as a sin.   This gives Satan a toe hold on us and that is all he needs.

There are other things we fail to do that we should, I just chose daily scripture study because I think it is an easy example that can apply to many.  I know my daily scripture study is an on-again off-again thing.  Yet my life runs better when it is on-again.  What other sins of omission can you think of?  For example, not visiting those people we have been assigned to visit, etc.

We will definately, IMO, be judged for how well we do our visiting or home teaching.  Not visiting would seem to be a sin of omission to me.  Again, Satan gets a foothold, this time maybe the foothold is with the person or family we were supposed to visit and deliver a spiritual message.  Who knows the eternal consequence to that person or family because we didn't bring that spirit into their home.

Comission Omission

I agree.  Sins of ommision seem to be everywhere in our lives.  I do believe part of that has to do with our growth and experience spiritually, intellectually and emotionally.  An example of what I mean is:  when we are young dishonesty is black and white; such as lying. Yet as we grow and learn we see the grey areas like avoidance.  Avoidance can be as dishonest as lying.  We learn the deeper meanings of truth.  It is no longer black and white.  We can look back and see times when we believed we were being truthful  and honest  If faced with the same situation today we would not view our action or inaction as truthful.  
This is one area where I believe everything comes in to play and the present is always changing our perspective.  All is relative to the depth of our knowledge.  I see sins of both omission and commision in my past.  I do believe that sins of omission open the way for the adversary to "get in the back door and creep upon us unawares".  Living the gospel to the best of our ability,  keeping our minds and hearts open to the teachings of the gospel and guidance of our living prophet are our only defense.  Living and learning are the keys to keeping the adversary at bay.

Comission Omission

What is amazing about this is how much omission is overlooked. Let us take Home Teaching as an example only for the sake of this topic. If a Brother does not do home teaching he sees it as 'not really a big deal' because he is friendly and dresses right for Church and participates in the quorum and reads his scriptures and... well, you get my drift. In other words, members think by excelling in one area enables you to omit some other principle or commandment.

Omission and Comission

This may be unavoidable. We can never be perfect in this life. So, this means we will never live all the commandments 100% of the time. So, perhaps they are focussing on what they consider to be the most important first and will eventually progress to the next step. In fact, I remember reading some talk by a GA or some other prominent member, can't remember who, that actually said that we can't change everything all at once, but we can change at least one thing. We should pick one thing and work on it. When we have it mastered move to the next, etc.

Now, many members may only be concentrating on the things other can see. Some members never progress past these visable things. The hope is, with time, we all grow and progress until we are eventually perfected, but I don't believe that perfection comes on this side of the veil.

Omission Comission

Although I understand what you are saying, 'growing' at various degrees, which I believe is what you are referring to does not mean to omit. Omit means to not do. Here is a basic example: You cannot obey the law of chastity and omit the Word of Wisdom and expect to get a temple recommend. You may not be perfect at keeping the Word of Wisdom or any other commandment for that matter (we refer to this in the Church as 'striving'), but to omit is not not do it at all.

Omission Comission Mormon Doctrine Studies

JB, it is a matter of degree. You may not get a Temple recommend for not obeying certain commandments, but I think the principal still is the same. I might do all the things I have to for a Temple recommend and not do some other thing I should. Perhaps I am not as good at Visiting Teaching as I should be. However, I am working really hard to be sure to magnify my calling as a Primary Teacher. Then as I progress in the Gospel, I am able to handle not only my calling as a Primary Teacher, but my responsibility as a Visiting Teacher. I think as we grow in the Gospel we gain a greater true understanding in our hearts (born agains often call this being convicted) of certain principals or commandments. As we gain this greater understanding/testimony of it's importance, I think we naturally make a greater effort to do rather than omit where that particular principal is concerned. Then, hopefully we move on. So, some may still be at the point where they haven't fully grasped Visiting Teaching. For others, it might be the need for Family Prayer or holding Family Home Evening. Still others may have progressed to the point where all the "biggies" are covered, and they are working on lust in the heart or unkind feelings/lack of love to all of Heavenly Father's children.

Edited: tenaheff on 19th Aug, 2004 - 10:58pm