The Pearl and the Box

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

     What a busy and exciting month we have had in Long Beach:  General Conference, two Stake Conferences, Mission Tour, Mission President’s Seminar, along with our normal routine of school, taking care of missionaries, etc :)  We have had a great month and still have a missionary fireside and departure dinner to look forward to before the month is over.

     Today was an extraordinary Sabbath day. We were able to witness the blessing of two babies, three young women received their young womanhood recognition award, the ward choir sang a beautiful number and a young Elder getting ready to leave on his mission to Baltimore spoke.  For our family the highlight of the day was having Ben give a talk in Sacrament meeting, he was also presented to the ward to be ordained as a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. His ordination took place after the three hour block of meetings in our Bishop’s office.  Even though we had to wait over a month for his advancement because of conferences and emergencies in the mission he was finally ordained by his Dad.  It was a very special occasion and he is excited to be able to take care of his new duties, including blessing the sacrament. We were happy that Scott and Cristy were visiting so they could be part of the special occasion.

     So many of the blessings of being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were evident in our Sacrament meeting today: blessings of the auxiliary programs, blessings of families who have the priesthood in their homes, blessings of the missionary program in the lives of those willing to serve, etc. Maybe it’s because of these blessings and many others not mentioned that it is easy to focus on the Church and to overlook the Gospel. Every Sunday when we meet the most important part of our worship service is partaking of the sacrament and renewing our covenants yet often we spend more time planning what we will wear, or thinking about what we will fix for lunch, or any other number of things than about our Savior, His atonement and our covenant to remember Him and keep His commandments.

     Elder Oaks recently spoke to some priesthood leaders in Mexico he taught, “it's essential to concentrate on the "pearl" instead of the "box." The "box" that houses the pearl is the activities and programs of the Church. But the "pearl," he said “is the gospel and the message of the gospel; the Atonement and the doctrines of the Church."

We are blessed to have both the box and the pearl but when we really think about which is more valuable and which deserves more of our time and devotion we will begin to concentrate more on the pearl.

     This is our transfer week, always a busy and bitter-sweet time of goodbyes and hellos. Sixteen wonderful missionaries complete their service here in Long Beach and return home to their anxious families – we will miss them!

We love and appreciate each of you,

The Long Beach Buberts