There Is a Way

By Sydney Reynolds

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Would you like to hear some good news? The word gospel means “good news.” The good news is that Jesus Christ came into the world and paid the price (atoned) for the sins of each person who repents. The Atonement was Heavenly Father’s plan from the beginning.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ cannot live where there is sin. Something had to be done so that if we sinned, we could repent and live with them again. Before anyone was born on this earth, Jesus Christ was chosen to be the one to atone for the sins of the world.

Heavenly Father loved us so much that he sent Jesus Christ, his Only Begotten Son, so that everyone who believed “in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; see also John 17:3). Jesus Christ lived, died, and was resurrected so that each of us can live again and be free from sin.

What is the way back to Heavenly Father? Jesus Christ is the way! (see John 14:6). We can find the way by following the principles of his gospel. The first principle of the gospel is faith in Jesus Christ. We must believe in him and do what he wants us to do. One thing he wants us to do is repent of our sins. Repentance is the second principle of the gospel. When we are old enough to be accountable for our sins, we can follow the third principle of the gospel and be baptized by immersion. Baptism makes us members of his Church and enables us to be forgiven of our sins as we repent. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is the fourth principle of the gospel. The Holy Ghost can guide us when we have choices to make and comfort us when we are sad. With the help of the Holy Ghost, we can love Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and others.

We must continue to live the principles of the gospel all our lives. Nephi promises that if we will “press forward … , and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Ne. 31:20). Eternal life means living with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forever and living the kind of lives they live. That is, indeed, very good news!

Instructions

You can help spread the good news. Finish the newspaper page on page 7 by cutting out the headlines, articles, and scriptures at the bottom of the page and gluing them in the appropriate places. You can also write and illustrate some articles.

THE GOOD NEWS!
APRIL 1998

(Glue headline)

“We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” (A of F 1:4).

Faith is hoping for things we can’t see but are true (see Alma 32:21). And faith must be centered on Jesus Christ. Our faith grows when we obey gospel principles and choose the right.

REPENTANCE NECESSARY
(Glue scripture references)

WE MUST ENDURE TO THE END
(See #1, below)

(Glue caption)

WHO: _____________________
(Your name)

WHAT: ____________________
(Will be baptized/was baptized)

WHEN: ____________________
(Month and year)

WHERE: ___________________
(Location of baptism)

HOW: _____________________
(By immersion and by priesthood authority)

WHY: _____________________
___________________________
___________________________
______________ (See John 3:5.)

GOSPEL SHARED WITH NEPHITES
(Glue article)

RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST
(See #2, below)

Be a reporter and ask three people what it means to endure to the end (see 2 Ne. 31:16). Write their answers below the headline.
Draw a picture of a child being confirmed.

Article:
When Jesus Christ came to the American continent after his Resurrection, he taught his gospel. He promised that whoever repents and is baptized shall be filled with the Holy Ghost (see 3 Ne. 27:20). The Savior promised, “If he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world” (3 Ne. 27:16).

Scripture references:
Read 2 Ne. 31:11; 2 Ne. 26:27; Matt. 4:17; Alma 5:30–32

Headline:
FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST IS THE FIRST PRINCIPLE

Caption:
Baptism is an essential ordinance.

Sharing Time Ideas

Discuss John 14:6 with the children. To help them memorize the scripture, repeat the scripture, stop, and let a child say the next word or phrase. Then have another child add another word or phrase. Continue repeating the scripture until as many of the children as possible have had a turn.
Find a large picture of a family and mount it on heavy paper. Write the following on the back of the picture: “The Atonement makes it possible for families to be together forever.” Cut the picture into puzzle pieces. Pass out the pieces and have the children assemble the puzzle on a wall or chalkboard. After the puzzle is assembled, tell them there is a secret message on the back of it that tells us something important about families. Pass out the pieces again, and assemble the puzzle with the message side visible. Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children’s Songbook, 188).
Bring a bag, backpack, or bucket filled with several heavy objects that have been labeled with sins, such as cheating, disobeying parents, or lying. Let the children take turns holding the heavy container. Then have a child take out the objects. When all the “sins” are removed, the child’s “burden” will be light. Compare the weight of the heavy container and the light container. Explain that Jesus Christ told us if we come unto him through faith, repentance, and baptism, our burdens will be lightened.

Photograph by Steve Bunderson; photograph by Longin Lonczyna Jr.