Introduction: Years ago Elder Packer gave a powerful analogy to a pearl and a box, encouraging us to remain focused on that which is most important, and not be distracted by that which was meant to facilitate and enhance the truly important.
The Role of the Pearl: The pearl was symbolic of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and its value is touted in scripture as being of “Great Price.” It is the source of true doctrine and the knowledge of God sufficient to lead the woman or man of Christ in a straight course home. It is the essential element in our mission to progress to and become as Gods and Goddesses. It is the core element of bringing to pass the immorality and eternal life of mankind.
The Role of the Box: The Box's mission was to set the conditions for the pearl’s success. To guard it, protect it as an item of infinite worth. To enhance its beauty by demonstrating its value as a thing worthy of reverence, respect and attention.
In the the following parable, the pearl's purpose is the highest and holiest thing known to humankind. While the box’s role of facilitating the pearl’s mission is also essential, its real value is tied up inextricably in the pearl’s value. It is also true that without the box the pearl's mission could be diminished, compromised, and even lost…thus both are essential.
The Parable:
In the beginning the pearl cherished, even loved her box. She was amazed at the beauty of its fine workmanship and stunningly carved features. Its design and strength not only served to enhance her own beauty, but it made her feel secure in her own value. The soft blue felt of its interior contrasted with her luster causing a reflection of beauty which accented the fact of her flawless surface. The strength of the hardwood used in the box’s construction brought her peace.
Each night when the jeweler closed the lid the pearl felt joy and warmth in the box’s loving embrace. She knew that for the evening she would be free from the dirt, dust and grime that could collect in the dark nights of the jeweler’s shop. At times the pearl felt some sadness that her box had to collect the lesser elements on its ornate lid, but she was reminded that such was the box’s purpose, and that a wise jeweler would from time to time clean and polish the box, removing the impurities. Her recognition of what the box did for her only increased her love and appreciation for her box.
However, over the years, the unwise and short-sighted visitors, (who came from all over the world to visit the jewelry shop and see the famous pearl) began to focus more and more upon the ornate box and less and less on the pearl. In response the pearl began to feel twinges of envy. At times the negative voice would whisper to her that the box was the real miracle, causing her to doubt her own great worth. Just as water can slowly wear away the stone, the visitor’s actions slowly wore away the pearl’s understanding.
Each night as the Jeweler shut the box, the warmth and protection she once felt , began to feel oppressive and confining. In anger she would think to herself, “What, doesn’t the mighty Jeweler think I can handle a little dust?” Soon she started to see the ornate carvings on the box’s exterior as pretentious and boastful, and applied the visitors’ misguided thinking to the motives of the box. She started to believe that the box relished its own beauty and was just using hers to bring attention to himself. The soft felt lining, became a competition to her luster, instead of something that complimented it, she began to feel that it was drawing attention away from her luster, to its own deep, rich, color.
It was not long before the pearl began to question more deeply the wisdom of the Jeweler. First she wondered why she even needed a box, and all the previous reasons she once cherished, melted away. Then she began to wonder why she could not be the box instead of the pearl. It did not matter to her any longer how significant her role had been, she wanted a different role, one that would bring the ooohs and aaaahs of the worldly visitors to the jewelry shop.
In just such a way the pearl lost her true perspectives and came to hate what she once loved, to despise what was once precious. Embracing the world’s vision of her role destroyed her joy. Of course she remained a pearl, that would not, in fact could not, be changed, but the beautiful pearl no longer found joy nor value in what she was…and the Jeweler mourned.