I first read Les Misérables in my twenties. I reread it many years later after seeing the brilliant Broadway stage adaptation of the novel. Since then, I have seen the play a second time, watched the outstanding movie based on the play, and have tickets to see a revival of the play later this year. Recently, however, I had the occasion to see a powerful excerpt from the movie, which caused me to consider Les Misérables from a different perspective.
Author Victor Hugo, though not a Latter-day Saint, created in Les Misérables a drama that powerfully illustrates the central gospel belief that no one is beyond Christ’s reach. For those unfamiliar with Hugo’s magnum opus, Les Misérables tells the story of Jean Valjean, a former convict seeking redemption after receiving an act of mercy. As he builds a new life of compassion and service, he is relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert, who believes people cannot change.
Set against the backdrop of post-revolutionary France, the novel explores themes of justice, mercy, love, and the power of grace to transform even the hardest of hearts. Symbolically, the tragic rigidity of Javert and the redemption of Valjean show the eternal consequences of choosing justice without mercy, or mercy through Christ. Seen in this light, the novel becomes not only a story of social justice but also a parable for The Plan of Salvation.
A sweeping narrative of justice, mercy, and redemption, Les Misérables’ core themes resonate deeply with the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When read symbolically through a Latter-day Saint lens, the characters of Javert and Jean Valjean can be seen as representations of larger spiritual forces. Javert stands as a figure of the adversary—Satan—who relentlessly accuses and condemns. Valjean, meanwhile, represents the natural man—described in Mosiah 3:19 as an enemy to God—who must yield to the Holy Spirit and become a saint through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Considered in this manner, Les Misérables becomes a powerful allegory for the process of personal transformation through Christ.
Jean Valjean’s journey begins in darkness. Hardened by nineteen years of unjust imprisonment and societal rejection, he emerges a bitter and dangerous man. In this state, he embodies the natural man—self-serving, distrustful, and trapped by the pain of his past. Our doctrine teaches that the natural man cannot change on his own; only through divine influence and the grace of Christ can a person be reborn. This process begins for Valjean when the Bishop of Digne extends a stunning act of mercy—refusing to condemn him and instead offering love, dignity, and silver to begin a new life. This pivotal moment symbolizes the grace of Jesus Christ, which initiates—not concludes—the process of repentance and redemption.
In gospel teachings, repentance is not a one-time act but a lifelong journey of sanctification, requiring constant course correction and dependence on the Savior. Valjean’s transformation is gradual and tested repeatedly. Though he strives to live righteously—rescuing Cosette, protecting the innocent, and refusing vengeance—he battles internally with fear, pride, and self-doubt. He is not perfect, but he continues to choose light over darkness. This process aligns with the principle of enduring to the end—as outlined in 2 Nephi 31:20—which emphasizes faith, hope, and continual reliance on Christ as essential to salvation.
Standing in contrast to Valjean is Inspector Javert—a man obsessed with law, order, and unyielding justice. When viewed symbolically, Javert can be seen as a representation of the adversary, whose scriptural role includes being the accuser of our brethren (Revelation 12:10). Javert believes people do not change—to him, Valjean is and always will be a criminal. He rejects the idea of mercy as weakness and cannot fathom a moral system in which justice is tempered by grace. His relentless pursuit of Valjean mirrors the Adversary’s efforts to trap souls in guilt and shame, denying them the hope of redemption.
In our theology, Satan seeks to use the law to condemn rather than to elevate. He distorts justice by separating it from the Atonement’s healing power, persuading individuals that their sins are unforgivable and that change is impossible. Javert’s collapse, his inability to reconcile justice with the mercy Valjean embodies, ultimately leads him to despair and death. In contrast, Valjean embraces the paradox: that through Christ, justice and mercy are not enemies but partners in the great plan of happiness (Alma 42).
Valjean’s final moments are marked by peace and light. He has not lived a flawless life, but he has consistently chosen to follow the Spirit, to protect the vulnerable, and to trust in goodness. This conclusion reflects the gospel belief that exaltation is not reserved for the perfect but for those who accept the Savior’s grace and strive to walk His path. Valjean’s quiet death, surrounded by love and the presence of divine light, is a testament to the redeeming power of Christ.
Ultimately, Les Misérables serves as a profound moral parable, illustrating the central LDS doctrine that no one is beyond the reach of the Atonement. The contrast between Valjean’s transformation and Javert’s rigidity underscores the eternal importance of choosing mercy, humility, and faith in Christ. While the world often operates according to justice alone, the gospel of Jesus Christ offers something greater: the possibility of true change, eternal hope, and salvation through the Redeemer of all mankind.
