The Power of Second Chances
Learning from Mistakes
As Elder Lynn G. Robbins explained in his October 2022 general conference talk “Until Seventy Times Seven,”, failures and mistakes can actually help us grow. When we try again after failing, it builds our faith, helps us develop Christlike attributes, and allows us to experience God’s grace. Think of learning any new skill – playing the piano, speaking a foreign language, sports, etc. You have to make countless mistakes before you become proficient. Failure is part of the learning process. As Thomas Edison said about inventing the lightbulb, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” God allows us to make mistakes and fail so we can learn and grow from the experience. Failure helps us develop faith, patience, humility and other Christlike qualities. It teaches us to rely on God’s grace. The opposition we face in life refines us and helps perfect us. As the scriptures say, it’s through much tribulation that we enter God’s kingdom (Acts 14:22).