Why does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invest so much in preserving historic sites?
Jacob W. Olmstead, manager of the Historic Sites Division of the Church History Department, said the answer relates to the Old Testament story of Joshua crossing the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, recorded in the fourth chapter of the Book of Joshua.
Joshua commemorated this event by commanding 12 people, one from each tribe of Israel, to collect stones and erect a monument (see Joshua 4:1-9).
why?
“So that when our children (and) future generations look at these stones, they will remember the great things that the Lord has done for the people of Israel,” he said, adding that the principle is the same in the historic sites sector.
Historic sites “help us remember the great things the Lord has done for us in this dispensation,” he added.
As guests on the Church News podcast, Olmsted and Benedict Dancy, curator of the Church History Department’s Historic Sites Division, explained how church sites not only preserve history but also help visitors connect with the Savior Jesus Christ.
“The ultimate goal is to connect those stories, events and individuals to the Savior,” Olmsted said. “History is important and can strengthen our faith, but ultimately it’s about connecting history to the Savior. That’s what we strive for.”
historic site
People can visit more than 25 historic church sites in the United States. Most are sponsored by missionaries, and many more are sponsored by missionaries. These sites (free museums, ruins, monuments, and markers) showcase the events of the Restoration and the stories of Latter-day Saints who sacrificed to build God’s kingdom.
“Across the world, there are thousands of records documenting the Lord’s hand in ongoing recovery,” Olmstead said.
Historic sites in Europe include Gadfield Elm Chapel and Hyde Park Chapel in England, Nowy Siwiat Chapel in Poland, and churches in Germany that tell the story of Helmut Hübener and his activities during World War II.
“So there are places all over the world where we can share our history, so we can see the history that’s happening here in the United States, but the history of the church continues all over the world,” Dancy said.
The historic sites page at ChurchofJesusChrist.org provides information about the church’s historic sites.
Other options
Most Latter-day Saints around the world will likely never have the opportunity to visit a historic church site in person. Can I experience historical sites in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois?
One option is to schedule a live, missionary-guided virtual tour or watch a pre-recorded video tour. Some sites offer integrated Google walkthroughs with adjustable maps that display different angles.
Dancy said the missionaries “use iPhones and different technologies to guide you and make it almost the same experience as FaceTime. You can talk one-on-one with the missionaries, and the missionaries will guide you around the site.”
Olmstead said reaching a global audience through virtual experiences is “uncharted territory” for the historic sites department. To make historic sites more accessible, the church is piloting virtual tour options, including short documentary-style videos and interactive 360° walkthroughs.
The church hopes these virtual experiences will help visitors connect with the spirit, geography, and message of each location, and plans to offer them in multiple languages.
“They testify to the truth of the Restoration in a very tangible and immersive way,” Olmstead said. “Many people visit historic sites and have powerful spiritual experiences. Their testimonies are strengthened, discovered, or discovered for the first time by feeling the Spirit there.”
recent projects
Olmstead and Dungey highlighted recent projects at the church historic site, including:
A multi-year restoration project of the Beehive House and Lion House on Temple Square is expected to be completed in the near future.
Olmstead and Dancy agreed that it was moving to see the Lord’s hand so clearly visible in the construction of a historic site.
“As we work on the development of these historic sites, obstacles are removed, answers are given, and prayers are answered by knowing how to get the message across. That’s really moving to me,” Olmsted said. “But what’s more important is our connection to the Savior and His role in our lives. … It’s amazing to be a part of that work and see and feel that Spirit and see it impact the lives of others.”
