Welcome to the New Liahona

By Richard M. Romney

Church Magazines

As the Church magazine for adults worldwide, the Liahona builds on a rich legacy and promises to be an ongoing source of inspiration.

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woman reading magazine

Photograph from Getty Images

Each month, those of us who work for the Church magazines witness what I consider a miracle. Once the articles are written and edited, the Liahona design staff prepares the layouts and visuals and puts the text in place. When the magazine is printed, the black printing plate is changed so the text portion can be printed in a new language without changing the layouts. This approach accommodates languages that take more space than others and allows for the economical printing of the magazine no matter where it goes in the world.

Another miraculous event occurs twice each year as the general conference issue of the magazine is prepared for readers around the world. Those in the magazine industry are amazed by the speed and precision that allow the conference magazine to be prepared so quickly in so many languages. Much of that is accomplished through the diligent effort of dedicated editors, photographers, translators, layout production workers, and printers who dedicate their time and talents so the words of prophets, apostles, and other Church leaders can be carried to “all nations, kindreds, tongues and people” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:58).

Now another inspired event is occurring. With this issue, the Liahona becomes the magazine for adults in the Church, furthering the fulfillment of the prophecy that the gospel would be available to every person in their own tongue and language (see Doctrine and Covenants 90:11).

To provide perspective about the new Liahona, here are some insights from former members of the Church magazines editorial staff.