Lenna Lambert

GUEST COLUMNIST

I thoroughly enjoy the work of J.K. Rowling and just finished reading the Harry Potter series. If you haven't read the seventh book and you intend to, stop reading this article now, so I don't give anything away.

I am not a big fan of the movies because my imagination when reading the books is not as scary as the movie producers portray the story. The reason I enjoy the Harry Potter series is because good always wins. It takes a valiant fight, but in the end good is always on top.

There is a war raging now. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places," (Ephesians 6:12).

It takes the shield of faith to be valiant in this fight. Harry was very clear on the mission he was to accomplish -- to destroy the horcruxes -- but most often he had to walk out in the darkness, using his experience and knowledge as clues to figure out the mission one step at a time. At times it seemed the clues were slow at coming and even hit dead-ends. But Harry didn't give up. His pure heart and love for others allowed the happy ending.

The world has so many pulls that cause us to lose sight of our mission. The economy, gas prices, food prices, low wages and debt ratio are all things that can cause financial distractions. Media resources make pornography easily available, TV shows that are offensive to God's spirit and time-wasting games that cause neglect of more important things. All these things cause moral distractions. Political upheaval, divorce and abundant lawsuits can frustrate and distract us causing us to forget about brotherly kindness. We often hit dead-ends as we are lured into these distractions.

Harry was a little upset with Dumbledore for not giving him more complete instructions and help in his crusade. As he struggled along he began to realize that the process of receiving answers was as important as the end result. The slow, sometimes painful process gave Harry the courage and experience needed to face each obstacle. Dumbledore knew what he was doing when he didn't give all the information to Harry all at once.

Our prayers are often answered the same way. As we struggle along praying for help with significant matters, Heavenly Father will give us gentle promptings that will require us to think, exercise faith, work, at times struggle, then act. It is a step-by-step process that is as important as the end result of the answered prayer. This process allows us to grow in capacity and gives us the ability to face bigger challenges as they may come.

Harry was lucky to have two good friends to help him along his treacherous path, although Ron temporarily abandoned the mission when he became frustrated with the rocky road they were facing. At times, we are tempted to give up as our road becomes rocky. In Deut. 31: 6, the Lord reassures us: "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

Harry realizes in the end that this fight could not be fought solo. As forces gathered in the last battle, Harry felt remorse as he watched close friends give their lives. The last test for Harry was whether or not he was willing to go forward and give his life for the peace of his friends.

A little over 2,000 years ago, a man faced the same decision. His pure heart and love for others caused him to make the right choices. It may seem we are facing an uphill battle, but as we trust the Savior and follow His paths, the good will win and we will enjoy happiness and peace forevermore. Don't you just love happy endings?

Lenna Lambert lives in Grantsville where she serves in the Primary -- the children's organization for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is the mother of six children.