The Unlikely and the Impossible: Supporting Saints in Former Communist Europe

edited by Matthew K. Heiss and James A. Miller

Available October 27, 2026 in print and ebook. Pre-order today.

• “Through original archival research and personal accounts, editors Matthew K. Heiss and James A. Miller uncover a powerful story of personal sacrifice, courage, and divine design in the expansion of the restored gospel.” — Dr. Reid L. Neilson
• “Tells the inspiring story how Latter-day Saints somehow survived in Central and Eastern Europe despite stiff opposition from political disruption via communism and Nazism, and a rampant atheistic scourge coupled with the dreads of war.” — Fred E. Woods

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Book Description:

The Unlikely and the Impossible: Supporting Saints in Former Communist Europe tells the remarkable story of faith, perseverance, and quiet courage behind the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Central and Eastern Europe during and after the Cold War. Drawing on rich historical research and personal narratives, the book highlights men and women who sustained their faith under communist regimes that restricted religious belief and public worship. Long before the fall of the Berlin Wall, these “supporting Saints”—ordinary people from diverse backgrounds—kept communities alive, navigated political barriers, and prepared the way for a future that once seemed unimaginable.

Rather than focusing on headline events alone, this volume brings history to life through intimate, human stories of sacrifice, resilience, and hope. Readers encounter missionaries, local leaders, couples, and converts who worked largely outside the spotlight yet played decisive roles in building lasting congregations across former communist Europe. Both scholarly and accessible, The Unlikely and the Impossible offers an inspiring testament to what faith-driven individuals can accomplish when circumstances appear most forbidding—and why their legacy still matters today.

Praise for The Unlikely and the Impossible:

“The Unlikely and the Impossible, edited by Matthew K. Heiss and James A. Miller, tells the inspiring story how Latter-day Saints somehow survived in Central and Eastern Europe despite stiff opposition from political disruption via communism and Nazism, and a rampant atheistic scourge coupled with the dreads of war. The editors are vigilant veterans who know the terrain and have no doubt solicited seasoned authors who likewise are familiar with the turf. The inspiring quote by Apostle Russell M. Nelson that Heiss and Miller used to kick off their introduction signals what lies ahead and is echoed in their conclusion: ‘The Lord is the master of the unlikely, and he expects the impossible.’ I do not think a sentence could be constructed to capture this story better through the lives of courageous and faithful Latter-day Saint men and women. It is most probable that readers will not be disappointed.” — Fred E. Woods, coauthor and coeditor of The Latter-day Saint Image in the British Mind and The Life and Adventures of Eli Wiggill: South African 1820 Settler, Wesleyan Missionary, and Latter-day Saint

“For much of the twentieth century, communist regimes across Central and Eastern Europe restricted religious freedom, leaving Latter-day Saints behind the Iron Curtain isolated in their struggles. Yet long before and immediately following the fall of the Berlin Wall, ordinary believers accomplished what seemed impossible. The Unlikely and the Impossible presents the inspiring history of 'supporting Saints,' the unsung men and women whose dedication, resilience, and faith kept the Church alive and positioned it for rapid growth. From early forerunners enduring systemic opposition to local leaders and foreign diplomats navigating Cold War politics, this volume highlights diverse European and North American perspectives. Through original archival research and personal accounts, editors Matthew K. Heiss and James A. Miller uncover a powerful story of personal sacrifice, courage, and divine design in the expansion of the restored gospel.” — Dr. Reid L. Neilson, former Assistant Church Historian and Recorder and Managing Director of the Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

About the Editors:

Matthew K. Heiss is an independent historian and retired archivist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He received an MA in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia and a BA in Humanities from Brigham Young University. Heiss helped pioneer the Church History Department’s efforts to collect and preserve global Latter-day Saint history, especially in former communist Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Heiss served as a missionary in Germany. He currently serves as an executive secretary to the Middle East/Africa North Area Presidency.

James A. Miller works as a historian and archivist for the Church History Department, where he helps supervise archival acquisitions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Africa, Eurasia, Europe, and the Middle East. He received an MA in History from Indiana State University and a BA in International Relations and Russian from Brigham Young University. He has presented on multiple conferences on Latter-day Saint history in Central and Eastern Europe and was an early contributor to the Church’s online Global Histories project. Miller served as a missionary in Ukraine.

More Information:

417 pages
ISBN 978-1-58958-841-7 (paperback)