Mormon Stories Podcast A Croatia & Slovenia Mormon Excommunication Story w/ Sara and Mitja Lakner Bevc | Ep. 2042
Jul 21, 2025
Sara Lakner Bevc, a Croatian-American former missionary, and her husband Mitja, a Slovenian convert, vividly recount their tumultuous journeys through Mormonism. They discuss the emotional turmoil of excommunication, cultural clashes, and the pressures of a mixed-faith marriage. Their candid reflections on identity, public dissent in church settings, and navigating belief illustrate the high stakes of integrity versus compliance. Together, they explore love, heartbreak, and ultimately, the quest for personal truth in the face of adversity.
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Eastern Europe Mission Meeting
- Sara and Mitja met on a temple trip in Europe after their separate Mormon missions. They quickly married and faced cultural and religious challenges living in Slovenia and Utah.
- Their early marriage experience included intense cultural clashes and adjusting to new church responsibilities in a small Mormon community.
Cultural Communication Clash
- Eastern Europeans often communicate more directly and honestly than Americans. This bluntness can clash with the American Mormon culture of deference and sugar-coating.
- Cultural differences deeply impacted their marriage and church experiences, especially with the expectation to conform silently in Utah Mormon culture.
Branch Presidency Realities
- Mitja served as branch president in Slovenia for years but felt disillusioned by bureaucracy and the disconnect between church teachings and reality.
- They encountered declining membership, anti-American sentiments in church culture, and resistance to American leadership styles.
