In his book ‘Act in Doctrine’ Elder David A. Bednar quoted a fellow Apostle Elder Boyd K. Packer who wrote:
“A merchant man seeking precious jewels found at last the perfect pearl. He had the finest craftsman carve a superb jewel box and line it with blue velvet. He put his pearl of great price on display so others could share his treasure. He watched as people came to see it. Soon he turned away in sorrow. It was the box they admired, not the pearl” (Boyd K. Packer. “The Cloven Tongues of Fire,” 7).

Elder Bednar went on to say: “As we are learning to live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, looking “beyond the mark” can cause us to focus incorrectly [i] on the jewel box instead of the precious pearl of great price. For example, the Conference Center in Salt Lake City is an impressive facility, but it is a jewel box. The teachings of the living prophets and apostles, the Seventy, the Presiding Bishopric, and general auxiliary leaders that originate from the Conference Center are the pearl of great price.

“What I  the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by my servants, it is the same” [ii]  “And whatsoever they speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” [iii].

The physical structure and grounds of a temple are majestic and beautifully maintained. Indeed, the Church goes to great lengths to create a physical environment in and around a temple that appropriately invites the Spirit of the Lord. However we should remember that the ordinances and covenants that we receive in the house of the Lord are the pearl of great price. The attractive physical setting is the jewel box.

“Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” [iv]). “And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people” [v].

Meetings are important gatherings, but meetings in and of themselves are a jewel box. The faith, unity, worship, and edification that derive from meetings as they are directed by the Holy Ghost [vi] are the pearl of great price.

“And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.” [vii]

“But not withstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders  of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit” [viii].

The programs and procedures  of the Church are a jewel box; the love of God and of our fellow men , the spiritual strength, and the individual growth realized through serving in the programs (today we might expand here: ‘the ministering’) and following correct procedures are the pearl of great price.

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” [ix]

“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” [x]

Our testimonies grow and our conversion unto the Lord becomes “firm and steadfast” [xi] as we press forward “with an eye single to the glory of God” [xii]. Indeed, the fundamental doctrines, principles, ordinances, and covenants of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are the ultimate pearl of great price upon which we should focus.

Elder David A. Bednar’s book, ‘Act in Doctrine’ was published by Deseret Book in 2012. The above quote is taken from p.86-88