New and Everlasting

In the account of Paul in Athens, Luke gave us this description of the people: “For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21).  They listened to Paul not because they really wanted to follow anything he said but rather because they were always interested in hearing about new things.  I think we have that tendency today—most of us are usually looking for something new whether that’s in reading the news or watching movies or listening to a general conference talk.  But “new” things aren’t always what we need.  In his classic talk about the Spirit, Elder Faust put it this way, “I suggest a simple solution for selecting the channel to which we attune ourselves: listen to and follow the voice of the Spirit. This is an ancient solution, even eternal, and may not be popular in a society that is always looking for something new. It requires patience in a world that demands instant gratification.”  Some things in the gospel simply never change, and no matter how many times we go to Church we will still be encouraged to read scriptures, pray, attend the temple, etc.  We know that “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing” (Mormon 9:9).  When the world clamors over the latest fads and philosophies we must remember that the Lord’s ways are ancient and sure.

              It is interesting, though, that we speak about the “new and everlasting covenant” in the last days (D&C 132:6).  There are perhaps multiple ways that we could interpret the word “new” in this phrase, but perhaps one is that when we make and keep covenants the blessings and revelations from the Lord are continually new.  For example, in the Book of Mormon the Lord said, “And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever” (2 Nephi 29:9).  In the gospel when we are true to our covenants the Lord always has more to say to us—there is “new” revelations awaiting us if we seek the Lord diligently.  Our attitude should be like that of Moses: “I will not cease to call upon God, I have other things to inquire of him” (Moses 1:18).  We can indeed have new spiritual experiences when consistently living the same basic gospel principles which don’t change. The principles of the gospel do not change, but our experiences when living them will change throughout our lives.  And it’s through the “ancient solution” of the Spirit that the Lord will reveal new things to us and allow us to “walk in newness of life” as Paul said (Romans 6:4).  As Nephi put it, “He that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old” (1 Nephi 10:19).  The Lord is always the same in that He will reward those who seek Him with new knowledge.  His covenant brings us both new and everlasting truths—the gospel itself never changes but each day living it brings with the newness of His Spirit.