1. Love as a Law: Love is described as the substance of God’s law, not a reward to be earned. It is a commandment to love God and others unconditionally.

2. Parable of the Prodigal Son: Both sons in the parable misunderstand love as a reward. The younger son feels unworthy, while the elder son feels entitled. The father represents God’s unconditional love.

3. Perfectionism vs. Perfect Love: Perfectionism is seen as a backward approach to love, focusing on being lovable rather than loving perfectly. God’s perfect love is unconditional and not based on merit.

4. Righteous Judgment: True judgment is about how to love others, not about who deserves love. Love should be given freely, even to enemies.

5. Practical Application: The article encourages readers to stop treating love as a reward and start obeying it as a law, participating in the work of loving others without conditions.

For additional information see:https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/love-is-a-law-not-a-reward

1. Religious Teachings: Explores how religious teachings can influence perfectionistic tendencies, both positively and negatively.

2. Spiritual Perfectionism Differentiates between striving for spiritual growth and unhealthy perfectionism that leads to guilt and anxiety.

3. Role of Grace: Emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting grace to counteract the negative effects of perfectionism.

4. Community Support: Highlights the role of religious communities in providing support and reducing perfectionistic pressures.

5. Balancing Effort and Faith: Encourages balancing personal effort with faith in divine assistance to achieve a healthier approach to perfectionism.

For additional information see:https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/religion-and-perfectionism

This article by Mark D. Ogletree was published in BYU Studies 63, no. 4 (2024).

Key points from this article:

1. Types of Perfectionism: Adaptive (positive outcomes) vs. Maladaptive (negative mental health outcomes).

2. Mental Health Impact: Maladaptive perfectionism increases anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout in adolescents.

3. Influences: High parental expectations and societal pressures contribute to perfectionistic traits.

4. Interventions: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness can help manage perfectionism.

5. Supportive Environment: Creating a supportive environment and encouraging balance can mitigate negative effects.

To read this article online for free, go to https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/perfectionisms-influence-on-adolescent-mental-health