Mormon Stories Podcast Italian Mormon Pioneers Leave Church - Leopoldo Larcher and Emily Guincho | Ep. 2107
Jan 26, 2026
Leopoldo Larcher, an Italian convert who rose to senior leadership and helped build the church in Italy, and his daughter Emily Guincho, raised Mormon in Italy, BYU alum and former missionary, share their family’s journey. They discuss rapid leadership roles, intense church service, cultural clashes with Italian life, discoveries about church history, and the personal costs and consequences of leaving.
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Distinct Childhood Identity In Italy
- Emily grew up as the only Mormon kid in school and felt different but also protected by her church-family identity.
- Missionary presence made Mormons in Italy feel connected to an American religious culture even without broad local awareness.
Mission Solidified Emily's Testimony
- Emily served in the New York Rochester mission, worked at the Palmyra visitor center, and gained strong conviction about Joseph Smith's story.
- Her mission experience crystallized personal testimony and inspired her to serve and teach on return.
Sanitized History Taught On Missions
- Emily and Leopoldo were taught sanitized histories: Joseph Smith's translation and first-vision details omitted controversial accounts.
- Mission culture prioritized a faithful narrative and discouraged deep historical inquiry by missionaries.
