“A misunderstanding of what it means to be perfect can result in perfectionism—an attitude or behavior that takes an admirable desire to be good and turns it into an unrealistic expectation to be perfect now.” (Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Perfect in Christ, Ensign, July 2014.)

“Occasionally, for well-motivated and highly devoted Latter-day Saints, confusion occurs about the differences between worthiness and perfection. Worthiness and perfection don’t mean the same thing! We can be worthy while still needing improvement. Be sure that you do not have higher standards for yourself or others than the Lord has established. Find satisfaction in your progress while acknowledging that perfection may still be distant.” (Elder Cecil O. Samuelson, “What Does It Mean to Be Perfect?,” New Era, Jan. 2006.)

“We all need to remember: men are that they might have joy—not guilt trips!” (Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995.)

“Worthiness is a process, and perfection is an eternal trek. We can be worthy to enjoy certain privileges without being perfect.” (Elder Marvin J. Ashton, “Being Worthy,” Ensign, May 1989.)

“The Church is ’for the perfecting of the saints’; it is not a well-provisioned rest home for the already perfected.” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “A Brother Offended,” Ensign, May 1982.)

“There are those who believe we must be perfect to gain salvation. Good and faithful members of the Church will be saved, by which I mean exalted, even though they are far from perfect in this life.” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, The Seven Deadly Heresies, speeches.byu.edu, 1980.)

“Salvation does not come all at once; we are commanded to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect. It will take us ages to accomplish this end, for there will be greater progress beyond the grave, and it will be there that the faithful will overcome all things, and receive all things, even the fulness of the Father’s glory. That will not come all at once, but line upon line, and precept upon precept, example upon example, and even then not as long as we live in this mortal life, for we will have to go even beyond the grave before we reach that perfection and shall be like God. But here we lay the foundation.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1954–56, 2:18; italics added.)

“When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel—you must begin with the first and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 1977, p. 348; italics added.)

Perfectionism vs. Doing Your Best (taken from the January 2006 New Era)

Doing Your Best	Perfectionism
• You desire to give things your best efforts and are satisfied when you do.	• You have a list of “shoulds” and “have to’s” and are dissatisfied even if you complete them.
• You know it’s okay if you make a mistake. You move on and see your mistake as an opportunity for growth or learning.	• Mistakes bring feelings of self-hatred. You don’t want to do anything because you are afraid of failure.
• You want to do your personal best, and you try not to compare your achievements to those of others. You don’t need to be the best at all things.	• You feel tremendous pressure to earn others’ approval. You must be the best or “perfect” in your tasks.
• You can find joy in doing the things you love, and you can get things accomplished.	• Your need to do things perfectly leads to procrastination until you have time to do it “perfectly,” and you feel driven by fear or duty instead of love.
• Trying to do your best and perfecting yourself “line upon line” with the Savior’s help is Christ-centered because you need the Atonement.	• Perfectionism is self-centered. You measure yourself against your own standards and against others’ standards, not God’s.

Perfectionism is a medical condition characterized by severe self-criticism and self-doubt, often accompanied by anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive behavior. It can lead to appetite and sleep disturbances, confusion, problems in relationships, inability to concentrate, procrastination of important tasks, and, if left untreated, major depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, addiction, and suicide.

Perfectionism is also closely associated with shame. In fact, shame is the birthplace of perfectionism.

Recommended books, articles, and videos:

It isn’t a Sin to Be Weak by Wendy Ulrich (Ensign article)

One Task at a Time in February 2015 New Era (New Era article)

Odds Are, You’re Going to Be Exalted by Alonzo L. Gaskill (book) (read an excerpt)

Weakness Is Not Sin by Wendy Ulrich (book) (video preview)

Within Reach by Robert L. Millet (book)

What Does It Mean to Be Perfect? by Elder Cecil O. Samuelson (New Era article)

Becoming Perfect in Christ by Elder Gerrit W. Gong (Ensign article)

Perfection Pending by Elder Russell M. Nelson (Ensign article)

His Grace Is Sufficient by Brad Wilcox (BYU Devotional)

Endure to the End by Gerald N. Lund (BYU-Idaho Devotional - audio)