One way of understanding Mormonism is that it pertains to eternal progression: growth that is on-going and everlasting and never stopping. It is difficult to conceive of this idea of eternal progression that pertains to us mortals that does not involve lots of mistakes. How do we deal with these? How should we feel about mistakes?
Elder Robbins helpful talk can present a useful paradigm towards those that believe in a Gospel of perfectionism, the idea that God expects me today to be completely perfect (as I understand it) in every area of my life. There is no room for mistakes, for slip-ups, for sins, for weakness. I need to be perfect. That's what God expects of me.
The ideas in this talk, however, while not downplaying the great expectations and long-term perspective of our eternal growth and exaltation, point to the not just inevitability of mistakes, but the idea that this is part of God's plan.
One implication is that these ideas, if embraced, help to remove shame and guilt associated with mistakes, with slip-ups. It helps put our weaknesses and short-comings in the proper perspective, and realize that God does not expect us to avoid all mistakes from this time henceforth and forever.
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