We need to accept that the commandments of God aren't just a long

Hear the solemn words of Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a voice of faith and clarity in a world so often clouded by noise: “We need to accept that the commandments of God aren't just a long list of good ideas. They aren't 'life hacks' from an Internet blog or motivational quotes from a Pinterest board.” These words strike like a bell across the generations, reminding us that the eternal truths are not fleeting fads, nor are they convenient tips to improve our days. They are the bedrock of life, given by divine wisdom, meant not only to comfort but to transform.

At the heart of this saying lies a warning against trivialization. In our modern age, wisdom is often reduced to clever sayings, passed around like ornaments on a board or slogans on a screen. While such words may briefly uplift, they lack the sacred weight of true commandments. Uchtdorf calls us back to reverence: to recognize that God’s laws are not decoration, nor entertainment, nor suggestions—they are binding, eternal, and infused with divine authority. To mistake them for motivational quotes is to rob them of their holy power.

History itself confirms the gravity of divine law. When Moses descended from Sinai carrying the Ten Commandments, they were not presented as “ideas” to be debated, nor as “life hacks” for convenience. They were carved in stone by the very hand of God, meant to shape the destiny of a people and, through them, the destiny of nations. Those who honored them found strength and identity; those who ignored them fell into chaos and ruin. This story teaches us that divine commandments are not casual wisdom but the pillars upon which civilizations stand.

Uchtdorf’s words also call us to discipline. For commandments are not always easy, nor are they tailored to personal preference. They demand sacrifice, humility, and obedience. The danger of reducing them to “good ideas” is that it allows us to dismiss them when they are inconvenient. But when seen as divine law, they are non-negotiable, as binding as the law of gravity. Just as no one escapes the pull of the earth, no one escapes the moral weight of God’s word. The choice is not whether they apply, but whether we will walk in harmony with them.

Consider also the contrast with modern motivational culture. Motivational speeches, life hacks, and inspirational quotes may kindle momentary zeal, but they often fade when trials press in. Divine commandments, however, are enduring; they remain steadfast in times of war, famine, loss, and despair. Think of Corrie ten Boom, who, even in the horror of Nazi camps, clung to the eternal commandments of love, forgiveness, and faith. It was not trendy sayings that sustained her, but the unshakable word of God written on her heart.

The deeper meaning of Uchtdorf’s teaching, then, is this: the commandments are not suggestions for living well—they are the very instructions for eternal life. To treat them lightly is to risk wandering without compass. To honor them is to walk in a path that brings peace, resilience, and divine strength. They are not fleeting sparks of encouragement but steady flames that guide us through the darkest night.

What lesson, then, must we carry into our lives? It is this: treat divine truth with reverence. Do not relegate God’s commandments to the level of slogans or social media posts. Instead, engrave them upon your soul, as they were once engraved in stone. Live them daily, even when they demand sacrifice. Teach them to your children not as “good advice,” but as sacred law. And when the storms of life arise, let them be your anchor, for they will not move.

Thus let Uchtdorf’s words echo in our hearts: God’s commandments are not mere ideas, but eternal truths. They are not hacks for convenience, but the foundation for salvation. May we honor them with the seriousness they deserve, and may we live not by shallow slogans, but by the unchanging word that has guided saints, prophets, and faithful souls through all the ages.