In 1994 Bill Gates bought the Codex LeicesterNotebook comprising a collection of scientific writings by Leonardo da Vinci, in his own hand. According to Wikipedia, it is listed as the most expensive book ever (in today’s dollars). He paid $30.8 million dollars. What made that book so valuable? Was it that it was rare? Old? or contained some valuable information?
This reminds me of a scripture in Matthew chapter 13:
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
What would be so valuable that we would sell all that we have to obtain it? As I pondered that idea I asked myself, what is the Book of Mormon worth to me? What would I pay for it? Turn to D&C 135:6
6 Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was thirty-eight in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; . . .
It cost the best blood of the nineteenth century. There is its value. How do put a price on the lives of Joseph and Hyrum Smith?
In September of 2017, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased the printers manuscript of the Book of Mormon from the Community of Christ for $35 million. What made that manuscript so valuable? What does it contain? We can obviously purchase the same words bound in paperback for a few dollars. Why would anyone pay so much for the same words that can be obtained for almost nothing?
In real estate they say that a property is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The worth of the Book of Mormon to each of us is evidenced by the time we put into reading, studying, and heading its words. When we fail to read it or ignore what it teaches, then the value to us is approaching zero.