For the Strength of Youth
Are You Expecting More of Yourself than the Savior Does?
For the Strength of Youth April 2025

Are You Expecting More of Yourself than the Savior Does?

By Jessica Zoey Strong

Church Magazines

For youth dealing with perfectionism or religious scrupulosity.

Jesus Christ with a young woman

Do you ever feel like you’re failing at living the gospel? Like you’ll never be good enough? Heavenly Father asks us to keep the commandments and to make and keep covenants. But He doesn’t expect us to do those things perfectly. In fact, He knew we wouldn’t. That’s why He sent the Savior.

Answer the questions in this article, thinking about whether you’re expecting more of yourself than Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do.

Do you worry often about being worthy enough?

  • Yes

  • No

  • Maybe

Examples: Confessing minor sins or sins you’ve confessed before. Doubting you’ll make the celestial kingdom. Being afraid of having “bad thoughts” or being a “bad person.” Thinking that your faith and testimony aren’t strong enough.

Being worthy does not mean never making mistakes. It does not mean being perfectly righteous all the time. It does mean that you strive to live your covenants and rely on the Savior. As President Russell M. Nelson has said, “Be patient with yourself. Perfection comes not in this life but in the next life.”

Do you feel you don’t deserve God’s love?

  • Yes

  • No

  • Maybe

Examples: Avoiding prayer because you don’t think God wants to hear from you. Staying away from the temple because you feel unworthy. Struggling with general conference or church meetings because they make you feel guilty.

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) said: “God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.” No matter what you might have done, Heavenly Father always loves you. Always. He doesn’t want you to get stuck in feelings of shame or hopelessness. He is your Father! He wants you to come to Him, to find peace and hope.

Do you think the Savior’s Atonement doesn’t apply to you?

  • Yes

  • No

  • Maybe

Examples: Feeling like you are the exception to the Savior’s power to save us. Thinking you need to earn your way to heaven.

Moroni said, “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32, emphasis added; see also Alma 26:12). Being good enough on your own was never possible. But you can be good enough with Jesus Christ. Have faith that the Savior can save you.

Do you think the commandments have to be followed “just right”?

  • Yes

  • No

  • Maybe

Examples: Praying with checklists of things you “have to” say. Fasting longer or more often than expected. Paying more than 10 percent in tithing. Feeling you have to study the gospel “just right” or for a certain amount of time or it doesn’t count.

Remember, the commandments are given to us from a loving Heavenly Father for our good. Look for the blessings that come from living the commandments rather than nitpicking if you’re living them perfectly.

So? Are you expecting more of yourself than the Savior does?

If this article hit close to home, your expectations for yourself might be too high. The Savior doesn’t expect you to be perfect—He expects you to keep trying and to repent when you make mistakes. He’s the one who saves and perfects us. As the Savior said, “My grace is sufficient for you” (Doctrine and Covenants 17:8).

Heavenly Father loves you. The Savior is your advocate. They both want you to return home to Them.