The Harry Potter series can teach us more about sacred gospel principles than may initially meet the eye.
Photo by Roland Losslein
In Bridgitte C. Madrian’s BYU devotional “Harry Potter and the Five Gospel Truths,” we read about five gospel principles we can learn from Harry Potter.
1. “All Are Alike unto God”
Harry’s unconditional friendship with Dobby helps Harry in his adventures. Similarly, when we accept those around us, it not only helps others feel love but also brings joy to our lives.
2. The Lord Will Help Make Our “Weak Things Become Strong”
God sometimes gives us opportunities to interact with people who have strengths that can make up for our weaknesses. Harry experiences this in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when he, Hermione, and Ron have the adequate combined skills to fight Professor Quirrell/Lord Voldemort.
3. “We See Through a Glass, Darkly”
Our path in life is not always as clear as we hope for it to be. “God’s plan is that we not have a full understanding of all things during this mortal life,” Madrian explains. Harry’s relationship with Professor Snape illustrates this. Snape is often perceived as a villain in the story, but in the end we see the struggles that Snape often went through to help Harry.
4. The Lord Will Magnify Your Capabilities in Doing His Work
Harry’s encounter in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban with the mysterious stag Patronus is an example of the great things that God has in store for us. As Madrian says, “[God] has given us the ability, conditional on our worthiness, to receive personal revelation about what we can and should do in our lives.”
5. Jesus Christ Is the Author of Our Salvation
When Harry and Hermione visit a cemetery in Godric’s Hollow, they read an inscription from 1 Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” Jesus Christ died for all of us so that we can overcome death and live with our loved ones in Heaven.
We can learn so much from The Harry Potter series, including messages that can help us to better understand the gospel and apply virtuous principles in our lives. Now the next time you watch or read The Harry Potter series, you can try to find your own gospel connections!
Watch or listen to “Harry Potter and the Five Gospel Truths” by Bridgitte C. Madrian.
Source: BYU Speeches
—Hailey Garcia, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY RHII PHOTOGRAPHY
Find more insights
Listen to the talk “Your Great Adventure” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf based on another fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings.
Read another talk about gospel principles “Applying the Simple and Plain Gospel Principles in the Family” by Elder Francisco J. Viñas.