The Standard

I love the Ensign, did you know? I'm almost giddy when I discover a new one in my mailbox. It is full of spiritual nourishment that I need during the month.

I didn't always feel this way about it. I remember watching my freshman year roommate read her newly acquired copy of the Ensign and wondering how she could get through all of those grown-up articles. It wasn't the reading itself that tripped me up (I'd been reading at a college level since I was eleven), it was the seemingly heavy, dry subject matter. I preferred the New Era; I could polish off one of those babies in two or three sittings.

The change was gradual, but by the time I got married I knew that I wanted us to have that monthly bundle of inspiration in our home. I became more engaged by the articles, I discovered that many of them were written by normal members of the church that had gained a specific scriptural insight or had a special spiritual experience they wanted to share.

Recently I started wondering if the editors are clairvoyant. At the beginning of each month I flip through the articles to see what I've got to look forward to. For the last year or so it seems that each time I do this there are a number of articles just for me. Last month it was the gardening section and the wonderful articles about the family. This month it's the article on modesty and the beautiful artwork about the Saints in Ghana.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go read.