In 2021, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf expressed appreciation for the support church members provide to one another “as we walk in ‘the way’ of our Savior” (“Daily Restoration“, General Conference, October 2021). In a lengthy footnote, he explained the significance of the phrase “the way” as it refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Citing several sources, he explained that followers of Christ at the time of the apostle Paul referred to themselves as “followers of the Way” (footnote 1).
As a result of this explanation, I’ve paid particular attention to Paul’s use of “the way” in the book of Acts. Some of these references are understated in the King James Version, but they are more clearly emphasized in other translations. For example:
| Reference | King James Version | New International Version |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 9:1-2 | And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. | Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. |
| Acts 19:8-9 (at Ephesus) | And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them… | Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them… |
| Acts 19:23 (also at Ephesus) | And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. | About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. |
| Acts 22:4 (to a mob at the temple in Jerusalem) | And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. | I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, |
| Acts 24:14 (speaking to Felix) | But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets. | However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets. |
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Therefore a follower of Jesus is a follower of “the Way.”
Nephi taught that baptism is the gate which allows us to enter “the way” (2 Nephi 31:17-18, 21). He added that when we have entered “the way,” we need not wonder what we should do: “If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:1, 5).
Elder Uchtdorf reminded us that after the Savior’s visit to the American continent, the people lived in peace for a long time. “This period of righteousness lasted some two centuries before pride began to cause people to turn from the Way” (“Daily Restoration“, General Conference, October 2021, footnote 8).
Today, I will strive to be a follower of the Way. I will strive to do the Savior’s will by heeding the guidance I receive from the Holy Ghost.
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