SINGING A NEW SONG


D&C 84:98 reads:




98. Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this new song…


Dr. David Ridges, BYU Education week instructor, author, former bishop and stake president has said: “The verses 99-103, that follow the verse just read, describe conditions that will exist during the Millennium. However, let us consider the phrase, ‘sing this new song at the end of verse 98.




Singing a ‘new song’ can mean rejoicing about something that could not be celebrated before because it had not taken place yet. Symbolically, new converts could ‘sing a new song,’ rejoicing that they now belong to the true Church. First time parents could ‘sing a new song’ that they are now parents. Missionaries could ‘sing a new song,’ rejoicing that they are now finally on their mission.




On a personal note, Dr. Ridges continues, some years ago as I entered the freeway, driving to teach my evening Book of Mormon class at the Institute, a new song came into my mind – beautiful music I had never heard before or since.




It continued playing in my mind for about fifteen minutes. I enjoyed it but had no idea what it meant. That evening, during class, I noticed a new student, sitting toward the back of the room. The Spirit was strong and I taught a number of things I had not specifically prepared.




After class, the young lady came up, introduced herself to me and said that I had been talking directly to her during the class and had specifically addressed her concerns about joining the Church. She was not a member but was investigating.




With her questions answered she was determined to be baptized and asked me to confirm her, which I did two weeks later at her baptism conducted by the full-time missionaries.




As I traveled home after class, it occurred to me that the reason I had the new song playing in my mind before class was that the young investigator was soon going to be able to sing a new song in her life, namely, a song of rejoicing that she had found the true gospel of Jesus Christ and had become a member.”