5 Times Dumbledore Teaches Gospel Truths

If you’re like me, “Harry Potter” is more than just a series of books that have been made into films—it is life! There is so much about the magical world that J.K. Rowling created that I love. I am always sad when reality hits and I have to face the fact that it’s not real.

As popularity for the series grew, theme parks were created and parts of the “Harry Potter” world were brought to life. In the parks, there are many things to enjoy but I think that the treats are the best. I cant say I’m a huge fan of butterbeer, but I do love Bertie Botts every flavor beans just about as much as Albus Dumbledore himself.

Albus knows

For anyone who has watched the films or read the books, you’ll know that Dumbledore is an incredible figure in the “Harry Potter” series. He is a warm, quirky pinnacle of wisdom. Many of his words of encouragement to Harry, funny enough, have gospel parallels. Another way in which the series has gospel undertones is its overall themes of love, friendship, and good triumphing over evil.

Here are five ways Dumbledore got it right when it comes to gospel truths:

1. “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

How can we metaphorically turn on the light even in our darkest times? Prayer is a direct connection to Heavenly Father. When we reach out to Him through prayer, it’s like we are reaching out to flip on the light switch to our spirituality.

 2.”it is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

When it comes to what we can accomplish on our own, we are very limited beings. 

But no need to worry, Ron…

In this fallen world, we must look to the Savior for strength. Through Him, we can accomplish much more than we would be able to on our own. In this quote, I like to insert my own name rather than Harry’s. It personalizes it. This is also something I like to do when reading the scriptures as well.

Our choices reflect what is in our hearts. We may be limited by what we can do, but what we do accomplish says a lot about our character.

3.“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.”

I’ll be honest, I pity Ron during this particular scene. Lavender was cray cray! But for those of us who don’t have crazy girlfriends named after herbs, we should cherish our relationships. As we are constantly reminded throughout the series, love really is the most important thing. It can pull us out of the darkness and can even be a great source of safety. I think when Dumbledore uses the word pity, he not only means to have sympathy but to actively seek to help.

It is useless fretting over things that are past and that we cannot change. Therefore we should be more concerned for those who are trudging through mortality with us than anything else. We must instead focus on our present. If we have love in our lives, we should count ourselves lucky. Love conquers all!

4.“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.”

Words are so powerful. They can completely tear someone down or build them up. Lucky for us, the word of the gospel is incredibly accessible to us. The Book of Mormon, rather than being magical, is powerful. All we must do to wield this power is to read it and follow its counsel.

5.“It is a curious thing, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well.”

This may at first seem surprising, but if we think about it, it’s so true! Often, the people that appear to be the most humble and unqualified are the ones who are called. People like Joseph Smith were uneducated and had leadership thrust upon them. Joseph’s formal schooling was incredibly limited because he was needed at home to help his father with the upkeep of their family farm. Emma Smith even mentioned how he sometimes struggled to write her a simple letter, which makes the fact that he translated the Book of Mormon that much more amazing. The Lord really knows what he’s doing, doesn’t He?

Jesus Christ never sought glory or power. He only wanted to glorify The Father, as we learn in our study the plan of salvation. In this way, He became the most powerful and important person to have ever walked the earth.

Thanks, Dumbledore, for all your words of Wisdom!

In the comments below, please tell us of your favorite “Harry Potter” gospel parallel.