The Record Thereof is of Great Worth

In his recent talk in general conference, Elder Jorge M. Alvarado told the story Célia Cruz Ayala, a sister in Porto Rico who was attacked and had money and a gift-wrapped Book of Mormon stolen from her. I wrote about this recently after reading the same story in the last volume of Saints. Shortly after the experience, the young man wrote her an anonymous letter telling her how the book was changing his life and asking for forgiveness. He said this: “I thought your wrapped gift was something I could sell. [Instead,] it has made me want to [change] my life.” The story invites us to consider how valuable the Book of Mormon is to us who have already gained a testimony of its truthfulness. Elder Alvarado commented about this sister that the book was “more precious to her than diamonds or rubies.” He referenced these words of President Nelson: “My brothers and sisters, how precious is the Book of Mormon to you? If you were offered diamonds or rubies or the Book of Mormon, which would you choose? Honestly, which is of greater worth to you?” Likely we will never have to make that specific choice, but we do have the opportunity every day to decide whether we will set aside the pursuits of the world that consume so much of our time in order to read and learn from the testimony of Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon. We must decide what is most valuable to us.

President Nelson’s question reminds me of what happened to Joseph Smith when he was first introduced to the gold plates. He was forced to decide what the real value of the book was to him. When Moroni presented to him the account of the gold plates on which the Book of Mormon was written, he warned that “Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God” (JSH 1:46). Despite the warning, the temptation still caused Joseph to falter. The first Saints book recounts, “Joseph thought about the plates as he walked. Even though he knew they were sacred, it was hard for him to resist wondering how much they were worth…. Joseph could not help thinking that he now knew exactly where to find enough treasure to free his family from poverty.” After he first found them and opened the box, “Joseph saw the gold plates, seer stones, and breastplate. The plates were covered with ancient writing and bound together on one side by three rings…. Astonished, Joseph wondered again how much the plates were worth. He reached for them—and felt a shock pulse through him. He jerked his hand back but then reached for the plates twice more and was shocked each time.” He cried out, “Why can I not obtain this book?” Moroni’s replied, “Because you have not kept the commandments of the Lord.” Though today we do not have access to the gold plates, still each of us must decide what the Book of Mormon is worth to us. We must determine whether we will set aside the things of the world each day in order to read and study its message about Jesus Christ.

Elder Alvarado summarized the story of this young man who stole the Book of Mormon with these words: “As for the unintended recipient of Célia’s gift, the Book of Mormon, this brother went on to witness more of the Lord’s mercy. Although it took time for this brother to forgive himself, he found joy in repentance. What a miracle! One faithful sister, one Book of Mormon, sincere repentance, and the Savior’s power led to the enjoyment of the fulness of blessings of the gospel and sacred covenants in the house of the Lord. Other family members followed and accepted sacred responsibilities in the Lord’s vineyard, including full-time missionary service.” The Book of Mormon helped this young man repent and turn to the Lord, and this ultimately led him to the house of the Lord. The words of the book proved to be immeasurably more valuable than what he at first thought the book might be worth. Moroni summarized to us, “And I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lord. For he truly saith that no one shall have them to get gain; but the record thereof is of great worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, him will the Lord bless.” We need to see anew each day the “great worth” of the Book of Mormon as we read its pages and are inspired, like this young man, to repent because its messages and to “be brought out of darkness unto light” (Mormon 8:14, 16).