News Summary
The southwest corner of Temple Square is open to the public after renovations, allowing visitors to explore the Salt Lake Tabernacle, Assembly Hall, and new monuments. A new sealing wing at the Salt Lake Temple further enhances the space, increasing sealing room availability and ensuring seismic safety. As renovations continue, the area promises to provide visitors with a deeper connection to history and community, culminating in an open house planned for April 2027.
Temple Square Renovation: Exciting Developments Unveiled!
Great news for fans of history, architecture, and community: the southwest corner of Temple Square is now officially open to the public! That’s right! All those eager to visit can now stroll the entire west side of this iconic landmark, exploring the beauty and history that Temple Square has to offer.
Along with enjoying the picturesque grounds, visitors can now step inside the Salt Lake Tabernacle and the historic Assembly Hall without a hitch. But that’s not all! Just across the street, you’ll find the FamilySearch Library and the Church History Museum, both wonderful spots to learn more about the fabric of community and faith.
Even amidst such progress, there is still some landscaping work taking place, bringing more freshness to the area as work continues. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been actively updating the renovation status, confirming essential developments as of February 28. Instead of just focusing on the temple itself, they are also enhancing the surrounding areas, ensuring everything looks incredible for visitors.
Memorable Monuments on the Scene
As part of the revitalization, three newly restored monuments have been added to the southwest corner of Temple Square. The first two highlight significant moments in the church’s rich history about the restoration of the priesthood. Let’s take a deeper dive into these important pieces:
- The original monument from 1957 commemorates the moment when John the Baptist conferred the Aaronic Priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery back in 1829. A truly historical moment!
- The second monument, crafted in 2006, illustrates Joseph Smith receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood from apostles Peter, James, and John, emphasizing another pivotal event in church history.
But wait, there’s more! Dedicated in 1913, the Seagull Monument pays homage to the “Miracle of the Gulls” during the early days of Utah settlement. Church President Joseph F. Smith himself dedicated this monumental piece, which stands tall in the southwest corner, representing resilience and history.
The Salt Lake Temple’s New Sealing Wing
In addition to the monuments, the ongoing renovation includes a brand-new sealing wing at the temple. This expansion is a game-changer, as it increases the temple’s sealing room count from 13 to 22! The new wing, skillfully integrated into the north wall of the historic Salt Lake Temple, features five additional sealing rooms, offering more space for sacred ceremonies.
Safety is paramount, and construction incorporates base isolators to enhance seismic safety. This ensures that the building not only stands the test of time but also provides a safe environment for all those who visit or participate in temple activities. What’s more, pivotal finish work is currently in progress, with updates to the baptismal fonts and sealing rooms in the north addition.
Exciting Features and Future Events
With the lead-based paint abatement now successfully completed, work can commence on the finishings for the celestial room and the original sealing rooms. Visitors to Temple Square can also enjoy the recently reopened Church Office Building Plaza and the Main Street Plaza, which were refreshed in January 2024. Meanwhile, the Assembly Hall and surrounding gardens are undergoing limited renovations, adding to the vibrant aesthetic of the square.
Look ahead to April 2027, as an open house for the Salt Lake Temple is planned to kick off! This event promises to be an incredible opportunity for friends and visitors to delve deeper into faith and community, learning about God’s plan and savoring the love of Jesus Christ.
The future is looking bright for Temple Square, and everyone is invited to explore the rich history, stunning renovations, and overall beauty of this cherished place.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Toronto Ontario Temple Undergoes Major Renovations
Additional Resources
- Deseret News: Temple Square Renovation Update
- Church News: Southwest Quadrant Reopens
- KSL TV: New Portions of Temple Square Open
- ABC4: Temple Square Renovation Update
- KSL: West Side of Temple Square Now Open
- Wikipedia: Temple Square
- Google Search: Temple Square
- Google Scholar: Temple Square
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Temple Square
- Google News: Temple Square
