The beginning of the Church in Eastern Europe

As someone who served his mission on the fringes of Eastern Europe, I was delighted that Brock pointed out this article from the 1991 Ensign by Russell M. Nelson, entitled "Drama on the European Stage." In it, Elder Nelson sets out to outline the events that occurred after the collapse of Communism from the point of view of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For anyone interested in modern LDS history in Europe, it is, dare I say it, essential reading. Here's a snippet about Yugoslavia, which in 1991 was just slipping into anarchy: President Monson dedicated this land on 31 October 1985, just prior to his call to the First Presidency. My first visit to that country as a Church leader was in April 1987. Elder Ringger and I met with governmental directors of religious affairs for Serbia and Croatia, as well as for Yugoslavia. Our interpreter was Kresmir Cosic, once a star basketball player for Brigham Young University. Brother Cosic had become a national sports hero in Yugoslavia. Governmental officials confessed that they weren’t particularly eager to meet with leaders of the “Mormon” Church, but they were excited to meet Brother Cosic, whom they admired and watched regularly on television. We now have a legally recognized chapel in Zagreb, and congregations in other major cities. Elders and couple missionaries serving in Yugoslavia are currently assigned from the Austria Vienna Mission. Earnestly we pray for peaceful resolution of the civil discord that besets this nation at the present time. So many choice souls reside in this beautiful land. I love the Cosic angle and can vouch for it: I remember that the missionaries in my mission (Austria Vienna) who served in Croatia claimed that Cosic-at-the-door was a sure fire way of getting in someone's home.