Set variables within mutt?

[Mark Andrews]

I come from an elm background where you can specify the sorting order
of messages within the mailer and save that order for the next session.

Is there anyway to do this with mutt? I've changed the sort order using
the `O' command, but when I start up a new session, the sort order has
returned to the default.

Is there a way to specify and save the sort order (and/or save the
status of other variables) within mutt?

Thanks