When the news cycle grabbed hold of Lt Col Matthew Lohmeier in 2021, the focus was almost entirely on his firing from the Space Force. People wanted to know about the book, the "woke" military allegations, and his subsequent move into the political spotlight. But behind the headlines, there's been a constant figure who has shared his journey long before it involved Senate confirmations and Fox News appearances.
Sara McConkie Lohmeier, Matthew Lohmeier’s wife, isn't just a spouse of a high-profile veteran. She’s part of a narrative that involves deep-rooted family legacies, shared faith transitions, and the quiet resilience required when your family life gets thrust into a national culture war.
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Who Is Sara McConkie Lohmeier?
To understand Sara, you kind of have to understand where she comes from. She isn't just "Sara." She is a McConkie. In the world of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), that name carries massive weight.
She is the granddaughter of Bruce R. McConkie, one of the most influential and well-known apostles in the history of the LDS Church. Her father, Joseph Fielding McConkie, was a respected professor of ancient scripture at BYU. This isn’t just a fun fact; it’s the foundation of her upbringing. She grew up in a world of rigorous theological study and high-level religious leadership.
A Shared Journey of Faith and Friction
Sara and Matthew didn't just meet and settle into a standard military life. Their path was complicated. Around 2015, while Matthew was still rising through the ranks of the Air Force, the couple went through a significant religious shift.
They became involved with the Denver Snuffer movement (often referred to as the Remnant movement). This wasn't a casual hobby. It was a fundamental change in how they viewed their faith, moving away from the mainstream LDS Church toward a more fundamentalist, personal approach to scripture.
It came with a cost.
- Excommunication: Both Sara and Matthew were excommunicated from the LDS Church in July 2015.
- Family Tension: Given Sara’s heritage as a McConkie, this move sent shockwaves through her extended family.
- Resilience: The couple stayed the course, appearing on podcasts like Mormon Stories to explain their journey, showcasing a level of public vulnerability that most military families avoid at all costs.
Life During the Space Force Controversy
When Matthew self-published Irresistible Revolution and was subsequently relieved of his command, the family’s life in Colorado flipped upside down. Sara has been described as a pillar of support during this time.
Being a military spouse is already a heavy lift. Being the spouse of a commander who gets fired for political reasons? That’s a whole different level of stress. They have children to protect from the inevitable online vitriol, and they had to navigate a sudden loss of income and career stability.
Moving to Idaho and Beyond
Following Matthew's separation from the military in late 2021, the family relocated to Boise, Idaho. This move was a fresh start. It allowed them to lean into Matthew’s new career as a consultant and public speaker.
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You’ll occasionally see them together at events. For instance, they were spotted at a Shen Yun performance in Boise, where they spoke about the importance of traditional values and the dangers of Marxist ideology—a theme that has become the Lohmeier family's public mission.
Matthew Lohmeier's Wife and the "Under Secretary" Era
Fast forward to 2025 and 2026. The world looks very different for the Lohmeiers. Matthew was nominated and confirmed as the Under Secretary of the Air Force.
This meant another move—this time back to the D.C. area, specifically Arlington, Virginia. Sara is now navigating the high-stakes world of a top-tier civilian defense official’s spouse. It’s a role that involves protocol, social functions, and even more public scrutiny than before.
Honestly, the transition from being "fired" to "Under Secretary" is a wild arc. Through it all, Sara has remained largely out of the political limelight herself, focusing on their children and their personal community, even as her husband becomes a central figure in Department of the Air Force policy.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume that military spouses like Sara are just "along for the ride." That’s rarely true, and certainly not in this case.
- She has her own voice: Her participation in interviews regarding their faith shows she is a partner in their intellectual and spiritual decisions.
- Legacy matters: Her McConkie lineage gives her a unique perspective on authority and tradition, which likely informs how she and Matthew navigate the current "anti-woke" movement they are associated with.
- Privacy is a choice: Just because she isn't tweeting every day doesn't mean she isn't active in the background of Matthew’s career.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Lohmeier Story
If you're following the career of Lt Col Matthew Lohmeier and want to understand the family dynamic better, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch for Heritage: Understanding the McConkie background explains a lot about the family’s commitment to "truth" over "institution," which has been a recurring theme in Matthew's career.
- Focus on the Foundation: The Lohmeiers’ move to Idaho was a pivotal moment of rebuilding. It’s where they solidified their stance before the 2024/2025 political comeback.
- Respect the Privacy of the Children: While the couple is public about their views, they have kept their children largely out of the media circus, which is a deliberate parenting choice.
The story of Sara McConkie Lohmeier is one of loyalty to conviction. Whether it was leaving the church of her ancestors or standing by her husband as he took on the Pentagon, she hasn't taken the easy path. As Matthew continues his role in the Department of the Air Force through 2026, her role as the steadying force at home remains the most critical part of his story that the public rarely sees.
Next Steps for Readers
- Research the STARRS organization to see the work Matthew was doing with Sara's support before his current appointment.
- Look into the history of the McConkie family to understand the weight of the religious transition they navigated.
- Monitor the Department of the Air Force official biographies for updates on the Lohmeiers' latest public appearances in Arlington.