Church historic sites and the testifying ‘spirit of place,’ with Gary Boatright Jr. and Benjamin Pykles

<p>After more than a year of closures due to the global pandemic, <a href="https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/section/historic-sites?lang=eng">historic sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> are now <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/history-revisited/2021-04-22/22-church-history-sites-reopening-may-211064">beginning to reopen</a>. Historic Sites operations manager <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2016/06/in-the-very-place?lang=eng">Gary L. Boatright Jr.</a> and Historic Sites manager <a href="https://www.cpms.byu.edu/project/dr-benjamin-pykles-bearing-witness-through-the-past/#:~:text=During%20his%20career%2C%20Dr.,in%20the%20early%20nineteenth%20century.">Benjamin Pykles</a> join this episode of the Church News Podcast to discuss these sacred spaces, how <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/history-revisited/2021-01-06/church-historic-sites-purpose-covid-19-virtual-tours-201002">closures allowed for the opening of virtual tours</a>, and how we can honor &ldquo;the spirit of place&rdquo; while visiting these locations. They discuss how touring historic sites in person or virtually can allow the Holy Spirit to testify of the importance these spaces held in the Restoration of Christ&rsquo;s gospel on the earth and how the Lord continues to guide the Church today.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">The Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Host <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/sarahdeseretnews-com">Sarah Jane Weaver</a>, reporter and editor for <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">The Church News</a> for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, &ldquo;What do I know now?&rdquo; because of the experience. Produced by<a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/"> KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>