Change

As I was reading the newspaper one morning, I stumbled upon an advertisement for a phone company; it depicted the latest product from their line and displayed, as a header, the words : ‘’It’s time to change.’’ I pondered upon the implications of this statement and meditated the concept of immediate need for change emerging from the mere advent of an alternative which rendered the eventuality of change envisionable. As curious and questionable as this self-declared necessity was, I came to the realization that such suggestions too often mold our conception of what is needful and what is not; that we are far too prone to disregard that which we have, only to covetously contemplate that which we do not. Indeed, it appears as though we, as mortals, naturally tend to dismiss that which is usual and habitual as benign and worthless. We are seemingly continually longing to rid ourselves of any manifestation of unrenewal and, despite our very best efforts, the need for refinement which rages within our own selves simply does not waver, regardless of what we have and what we do not.

Although in this case limited to worldly possessions, the notion of inherent need for change is not strictly bound thereto; the analogy, however ludicrous and limited in application it may seem, may nonetheless be exploited to a certain extent, perhaps with results profitable to our instruction. As individuals, we all are fundamentally imperfect in nature and, therefore, require change in order to achieve progression; we are, through the course of things, to experience disappointment and frustration in spite of our shortcomings and, hopefully, to grow and blossom as a result of our subsequently hard-earned glimmers of wisdom.

However great the inherent human need for change, it will ever represent but a fraction of the infinite dependency which binds our soul to He who is the provider of all means through which we are enabled to change. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose life was given to palliate the hardships resulting from the unmet needs of the wandering soul, performed an infinite atonement by which He bore our sins and furnished a way for us to experience true, lasting change; although we are not Alma the younger at the appearance of the reproving angel or Paul on the road to Damascus, we all can and will experience that mighty change of heart which was spoken of by the prophets of old if only we will turn to Him who is the Creator of our heart. 

Change is to be sought, yet worldliness must be forsaken; let us glory in the Lord, on whom we may consistently rely for sustenance in our yearning to become truly, purely and wholesomely converted. His Love will never fail us as we strive to be perfected in Him through whom we are redeemed.

‘’Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; and thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." (Mosiah 27:25–26)

I stand as a witness of Jesus Christ and of the sanctifying, transforming and uplifting power of His infinite sacrifice. I know that He lives and that through Him and Him alone may we live forevermore. I so testify in the holy name of the Savior Jesus Christ, amen.