Living according to the basic gospel principles will bring

Hear the voice of Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a servant of God and a guide among the Saints, who declared: “Living according to the basic gospel principles will bring power, strength, and spiritual self-reliance into the lives of all Latter-day Saints.” These words, though spoken to the faithful of his time, carry the ring of eternal wisdom, for they remind us that the greatest treasures of heaven are not found in lofty mysteries, but in the simple, steady keeping of God’s laws.

When Uchtdorf speaks of basic gospel principles, he points to faith in Christ, repentance, obedience, charity, and prayer—the foundations upon which a soul is built. Just as the tallest mountain stands upon bedrock, so too does a life of holiness stand upon these simple truths. Many seek for secret knowledge or dramatic signs, but the Lord has revealed that the daily, humble practices of the gospel are the true source of power. They are the steady stream which carves valleys, the quiet fire which shapes steel.

He declares that such living brings strength. Not the strength of armies nor the strength of wealth, but the strength that endures temptation, the strength that rises when all else collapses, the strength that carries the soul unbroken through trial. It is the strength of Daniel in the lions’ den, of Esther before the king, of pioneers who crossed barren plains with hymns upon their lips. This strength is given to those who live the principles of the gospel, for their souls are anchored not in shifting sands, but in eternal rock.

Uchtdorf also speaks of spiritual self-reliance—a treasure often misunderstood. It is not the arrogance of saying, “I need no one,” but the confidence that comes when one has cultivated personal faith, personal testimony, personal connection to heaven. It is the lamp of the wise virgins, filled with oil through daily devotion, ready to burn when the Bridegroom comes. The spiritually self-reliant soul does not lean only upon the faith of parents, teachers, or leaders, but has built its own wellspring of light, drawing directly from the living Christ.

History itself offers us mirrors of this truth. Think of the early Latter-day Saints, who left homes and lands to journey into wilderness. They did not survive by miracles alone, but by combining their faith with daily obedience to gospel principles—by prayer around campfires, by repentance when disputes arose, by service to one another in the harshest of conditions. Their power lay not in might, but in living simply and steadily as disciples of Christ. Because of this, their legacy endured, and their children inherited both the blessings of their sacrifice and the strength of their example.

The deeper meaning is that the gospel, though simple, is never shallow. It is a well that never runs dry, a foundation that never cracks. The world often despises simplicity, chasing after complexities and philosophies. But Uchtdorf reminds us that true greatness is found in the basics lived consistently. One prayer whispered daily builds a fortress. One act of charity lights a lamp for eternity. One humble repentance restores the broken heart to strength again.

The lesson for us, O listener, is this: do not neglect the basics. Do not despise the small and simple things. Read the scriptures daily, however short the time. Pray with sincerity, even if only with a few words. Repent quickly, love deeply, serve humbly. In these small things lies the secret of power, strength, and spiritual self-reliance. It is through these practices that ordinary souls are transformed into extraordinary disciples.

So let Uchtdorf’s words endure in your heart: “Living according to the basic gospel principles will bring power, strength, and spiritual self-reliance.” Walk this path faithfully, and you will discover that the Lord Himself walks beside you. And when the trials of life press upon you, you will not fall, for you will stand in the might of God, filled with His Spirit, sustained by His grace, and unshakable in His truth.