Once upon a time, there were three LDS magazine publications: The Ensign, the New Era, and the Friend. [Even earlier, there was something called the Improvement Era, but that predates me.] You are probably aware that the Ensign was replaced by the Liahona. That’s a bit confusing, because for many years the Liahona was the international LDS publication, in several languages, while the Ensign was the USA (and Canada?) English-language publication. The Ensign was replaced in January 2021. Here is the first of several questions for readers.
- Was this simply a name change, with the content and format largely unchanged? Or did the new Liahona adopt the somewhat more simplified and “gospel basics” approach of the earlier international Liahona?
I’m thinking (not having read the Liahona much) the transition struck a middle ground between the two prior publications. In my view, that simply continues a decades-long trend of making the content of LDS publications ever more simplified and oriented to gospel basics (notice how hard I am working to avoid the term “dumbed down”). If you go back to the Improvement Era issues of the 1960s and the Ensign issues of the 1970s, they often featured serious articles by authors with some expertise in a field. I just don’t see that anymore. A somewhat different example is the changing inventory of your local Deseret Book store. While it still has a section for books, a good part of the store is devoted to LDS art (not exactly real art, but images in frames) and LDS knick-knacks. And it’s tough to find a book worth buying. You could throw in curriculum materials as well if you want.
- Is the simplification (and emotification, I would argue) of LDS magazines just part of an overall shift in emphasis in the whole range of LDS publications (magazines, books, curriculum) away from substantive content to repetition of simple themes and a variety of personal stories?
Now let’s go to the LDS magazines page. Take a look. Any surprises? There is no New Era, that went away, too, and is replaced by For the Strength of Youth. I thought that was just a pamphlet. Now it’s a magazine. There’s also one called the YA Weekly, which appears to be just an online publication and is directed to Young Adults. I assume this is part of the increasing attention LDS leaders have directed to YSA over the last decade, trying to keep Josh and Sophie active in the Church. Honestly, I had never heard of the YA Weekly until 30 minutes ago when I came across an article and link while searching for current LDS news stories (looking for something to blog about).
- Here’s my sense: Part of the reason these changes have gone largely unnoticed is because LDS magazines have become less and less important (and less relevant?) to the average LDS of any age. These publications are sort of a legacy operation, with many adult members largely or totally unaware of them.
I suspect browsing LDS.org for news and helpful articles (as well as any curriculum pages a teacher might need) has largely replaced the need for print publications. At the same time, I’m intrigued by the YA Weekly, which, along with YSA branches and regional YSA conferences, signals a focus on that demographic.
So why not expand the range of LDS publications to include a variety of other LDS demographics? Your suggestions are welcome in the comments. Here are some of my ideas.
- I Hope They Call Me On A (Senior) Mission, an LDS publication directed to LDS seniors, including articles on missions and temple service, as well as general articles on retirement investment strategies, health concerns, and keeping track of all the grandkids.
- What About Me?, an LDS publication for LDS single adults who have aged out of YSA. Articles on depression and mental health as well as online dating strategies and cruising (like on ships).
- Mormon MAGA, an LDS publication catering to MAGA Mormons who are frustrated that so few Sunday talks or lessons feature direct discussion of right-wing politics. Featuring political news of the day and reprinted articles and speeches of Ezra Taft Benson.
- Living on the Edge, an LDS publication directed to doubters and lazy learners who, to the puzzlement of most LDS leaders, remain stubbornly or reluctantly attached to the Church in varying degrees. Featuring a healthy dose of name-redacted personal stories and reprinted articles and essays of Eugene England.
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Wheat & Tares 
Mormon MAGA: Isn’t this just the Deseret News? 🙃
If we’re going this direction, then there has to be one for the preppers among us.
I can’t remember when I last looked at a church magazine, but I haven’t been the audience for that in a long time. I should probably ask my mom about church magazines to get a better sense of regular members’ relationship to it. Really, all print media is on the decline these days. I hear regular mention of church-oriented or church-produced podcasts in Sunday School lessons these days. I’ve never heard of most of them, and they probably don’t want to know the podcasts I listen to, but it’s interesting to realize that we’re all changing our habits, and the church is clearly trying to keep up and produce content for the ways people consume it now.
I assume your list isn’t meant too seriously given the MAGA suggestion, but really, producing content for those niche audiences is something the church should be, and possibly is, thinking about. Older members and middle aged single members are sizable groups that deserve some dedicated attention. I think they should be giving some attention to edgy members, but sadly I think they fear doing so in any official way. The best they can manage is to allow groups like Faith Matters to exist without harassing or excommunicating the people involved as they have with others in the past.
The Church News and Deseret News are already plenty MAGA. Regarding the magazine for senior missionaries, be sure to include a recurring feature encouraging them to leave their inheritance to the church rather than to their wayward or ungrateful relatives.