Jesus Is the Way

In 1916, 27-year-old Tēvita Tuliakiono was among the first to join the Church in Nuku‘alofa, Tonga. Each week, he, his wife, and his cousin faithfully walked three miles across the island to attend Church meetings. Just four years later, when a new Tongan hymnbook for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was published, six of Brother Tuliakiono’s hymns were included. “Folofola Mai ‘a Sīsū” was one of those hymns and is a favorite among Tongan Saints.

Early editions of the Tongan hymnbook did not include any form of musical notation. Tunes and harmonies were passed down orally. That changed in 1973, when a new hymnal, Ngaahi Himí, preserved the melodies in written form for the first time using Tu‘ungafasi—a Tongan variation of the tonic sol-fa system of music notation which uses numbers instead of notes on a staff. This accessible approach made it possible for Saints across Tonga, regardless of musical training, to learn and sing hymns with confidence.

Based on the parable of the sheep and the sheepfold found in John 10, the original Tongan text of “Folofola Mai ‘a Sīsū” responds to the question “How do we come into the fold of God?” The answer is found in the Savior’s invitation to “come unto me” (Matthew 11:28). We follow Him not only because He knows the way, but because He is the Way to eternal life.

Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for Jesus Is the Way

On This Page

Scriptures

Principles

Jesus Christ offers us the only way to obtain the blessings of salvation and eternal life.
We follow Jesus Christ’s example when we keep Heavenly Father’s commandments.
By learning and following the teachings of Jesus Christ, we will gain joy and freedom.

Questions to Ponder

How does choosing to follow Jesus Christ influence your decisions?
How would you describe the freedom and joy that come from following Jesus Christ?
What can you do to help others come closer to Jesus Christ and experience the blessings only He can offer?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

Do an invitation activity. First, sing the first line of the chorus several times together so that everyone knows it. Have one family member stand inside a room with the door closed as the others wait outside. You could place a picture of Jesus on the door. The person outside knocks, and the person inside opens the door, sings, “Come in through Him, into the fold of God,” and welcomes him or her with a warm hug. Take turns playing both roles, and remind family members that the Savior’s invitation is always full of love.
Teach that Jesus Christ is the Way. As a family, listen for how this hymn describes Jesus Christ as “the Way.” Talk about how this is one of Jesus’s titles because He showed us how to live by His example. Ask one family member to think of something the Savior did that we can do too, like being kind, praying, or helping others. While the rest of the family sings the hymn, that person acts out his or her idea. At the end of the hymn, everyone guesses what Christlike action was shown. Keep repeating the hymn as family members take turns acting and guessing. Discuss ways you’ll each follow Jesus Christ in the coming week.

Music Helps

The rhythms in this hymn evoke traditional Tongan singing and dancing. This is especially noticeable in the chorus. Here the bass part is sung separately from the other parts, creating an echo pattern. The hymn recording demonstrates the bass echo as well as the energy and beauty of the hymn.

“Jesus Is the Way” echo illustration