In Mormonism, sin is defined primarily as a conscious choice to do wrong. “Sin is knowingly choosing to do wrong or not to do right” (Plan of Salvation, p. 9). A person sins only when they deliberately disobey one of God’s commandments. Because of this, Mormons often speak of mistakes, weaknesses, or poor judgments rather than sin itself.
Mormonism also teaches that people are born innocent, not sinful by nature. According to LDS Scripture (D&C 29:46–47), children cannot sin until they reach the “age of accountability” at eight years old. Rather than emphasizing humanity’s sinfulness, Latter-day Saints focus on each person’s divine potential and ability to choose the right through agency.
Biblical Christianity teaches that sin runs far deeper. Sin is not only what we do, but who we are by nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:10–12). Even one sin destroys perfection and brings total guilt before God (James 2:10). Sin includes our thoughts, motives, and desires (Matthew 5:28), and it separates every person from God completely. Because all have sinned, salvation cannot come through improvement or effort but only through the perfect obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
