So, it's no secret that I adore Harry Potter.
Today, I have been challenged to relate the Gospel to my favorite book.
Challenge accepted. What an easy task this will be.
One reason that I love Harry Potter so much is because it is chalked full of gospel truths.
Great moral truths.
Truth #1 Immortality: One of God's greatest gifts.
Harry is a wizard who was orphaned as a baby. An evil man name Voldemort killed both of his parents. However, this physical separation did not impede Harry's understanding that he would be with them again.
Man, Harry must've read the Book of Mormon or somethin'...
He knew that his parents loved him and he had hope that one day, they would reunite.
Talk about faith amidst adversity.
"Your life didn’t begin at birth and it won’t end at death. Before you came to earth, your spirit lived with Heavenly Father who created you. You knew Him, and He knew and loved you. It was a happy time during which you were taught God’s plan of happiness and the path to true joy. But just as most of us leave our home and parents when we grow up, God knew you needed to do the same. He knew you couldn’t progress unless you left for a while. So he allowed you to come to earth to experience the joy—as well as pain—of a physical body." (mormon.org)
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22
Truth #2 God's plan includes freedom of choice.
Sirius Black, Harry Potter's Godfather taught Harry,
"We've all got both light and dark inside of us.
What matters is the part we choose to act on.
That's who we really are."
- Sirius Black
Wow!! Talk about inspired words Sirius. Props. I'm thinking that Sirius must've somehow gotten his hands on The Book of Mormon as well.
This gospel truth is also highlighted in the scriptures...
"Men... have become free forever, knowing good from evil: to act for themselves... they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil" 2 Nephi 2:26-27
The reality is, that there is a very real being whom is set on destroying our happiness, who tempts us every day... but we can fight those temptations as we CHOOSE THE RIGHT.
Truth # 3 Even when the pressure amounts, the best thing to do is "look up."
Lets be honest, the majority of Harry's life he suffered rejection, ridicule and opposition.
Most of the time other people did not want to accept his role... many just didn't believe in him.
But something I respect about Harry, was that he always stood strong to his moral code.
What he believed to be true.
Mormons are also encouraged to, "stand up for what they believe, regardless of prevailing opinion. It may not be easy, popular, or fun. Sometimes taking a stand means subjecting yourself to ridicule, slander or even physical abuse. In this kind of situation, a person can rely on the Lord to help them maintain their beliefs. He expects us to do what we believe is right in any situation, and He will help us have the moral courage to do it. It isn't enough to look away or to keep quiet. Looking away can sometimes be a sin in itself. We are acting as Jesus acted when we stand up for what we believe and take action." (mormon.org)
Let us look up, to the source of all truth and light, our Savior Jesus Christ.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
These are just a couple ways I thought that Harry Potter related to the gospel.
Now, I knoooow that I have probably overlooked some gospel truths as related to Harry Potter, after all I have been doing this "mission thing" for quite some time... #missionfog so when you think of some, feel free to message me.
Will you relate the gospel to Harry Potter today?
