Salt Lake Temple
Latest News
Recent News Articles
- May 25, 2023 – Temple Square Renovation Update: May 2023
- May 10, 2023 – The Salt Lake Temple’s evolving design and unchanging symbolism
- May 7, 2023 – Salt Lake Temple gets new feature
- May 4, 2023 – Walking around Temple Square today
- April 24, 2023 – Salt Lake Temple renovation project keeps expanding, but that's not what's causing delays
- April 15, 2023 – Salt Lake Temple renovation keeps expanding, but that’s not what caused delays
- April 11, 2023 – Trucks roll onto Temple Square for Salt Lake Temple renovation’s largest concrete pour
- April 11, 2023 – Salt Lake Temple renovation reaches 50% milestone: 'We are starting to build back up'
- March 23, 2023 – Temple Square renovation update: Salt Lake Temple’s estimated completion date amended to 2026
- January 25, 2023 – Temple Square Renovation Update: January 2023
- January 3, 2023 – Check out this cool time-lapse video of Temple Square in December
- December 3, 2022 – Temple Square Christmas lights have evolved during construction, but retain familiar features
- November 25, 2022 – Christmas lights are on at LDS Temple Square in SLC — despite the ongoing construction
- November 18, 2022 – Temple Square Offers Christmas Experiences Despite Construction
- September 26, 2022 – Temple Update: Historic Temple Square Renovation Continues
- September 23, 2022 – 7 things to see in the Conference Center while Temple Square is under construction
- August 26, 2022 – Temple Square Renovation Update: August 2022
News Stories
Photo: Temple Square Facebook page
First Base Isolator Installed at the Salt Lake Temple
The first base isolator has been placed at the Salt Lake Temple as part of a massive seismic retrofit of the historic structure. Each isolator weighs 18,000 pounds (8,165 kilograms), measures 7 feet (2 meters) across, and accommodates up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) of horizontal movement in any direction. Placement of the 98 base isolators on top of the new lower foundation is anticipated to take about a year and a half.
Photo: Temple Square Facebook page
Building Base Isolator Templates for the Salt Lake Temple
Crews are building templates for the base isolators that will sit between the existing foundation of the Salt Lake Temple and the new lower foundation that is being installed. A total of 98 base isolators will be used, acting like shock absorbers that will help isolate the temple from any seismic activity. Construction recently reached the halfway point and is currently projected to be completed in 2026.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Salt Lake Temple Renovation Completion Projected for 2026
A new estimate of 2026 has been released for completion of the Salt Lake Temple renovation. On March 7, crews poured the concrete footing for the first base isolator, which is anticipated to be inserted under the temple next month. Concrete slabs surround the excavated foundation to provide a level working surface for crews who are assembling steel cages for the reinforced footings that will be installed there. Base isolators will sit on these new footings. The new facilities and landscaping underway at the northwest corner of Temple Square are expected to be completed this fall. Work will then move to the southwest corner where the Assembly Hall stands. The Lion House is scheduled to close for renovation the weekend after general conference on April 8, 2023.
Photo: Temple Square Facebook page
Next Phase of Salt Lake Temple Foundation Work Underway
With all of the pipe beams in place under the existing foundations of the Salt Lake Temple, crews are excavating even deeper in preparation for new foundations. Excavation will reach a depth of 35 feet (10.6 meters) below the base of the temple superstructure. Base isolators will sit between the new foundation and the reinforced historic foundation to protect the temple from earthquake damage. Elsewhere on Temple Square, construction continues on the three-story underground addition north of the temple, the guest experience pavilions south of the temple, and the restroom facility north of the tabernacle. The Main Street Plaza is taking shape while landscaping efforts continue on the Church Office Building plaza.
Photo: Jared Fugal
A Look Ahead at the Salt Lake Temple Renovation
An update from Church headquarters on the Salt Lake Temple renovation gives us an idea of what to expect in 2023. Renovations will commence on the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Beehive House, and Lion House. Installation of the base isolator system, post-tension cables, and steel frames for the spires will also begin. Construction will continue on the guest experience pavilions south of the temple. Completion of the restroom facility and contemplation gardens is expected in early fall while completion of the Church Office Building plaza and Main Street Plaza is expected in late fall. Structural work will wrap up on the three-story underground addition, and finish work will begin.
Photo: Jared Fugal
Drilling Shafts into the Salt Lake Temple
One of the more inconspicuous projects at the Salt Lake Temple is the drilling of vertical shafts for cables that will tie into the horizontal base isolaters beneath the stone foundation. Because of the high degree of accuracy required for these shafts, a single shaft can take as long as two months to drill. Elsewhere on site, forming is underway for the top level of the north underground addition, hardscaping of the Main Street Plaza is moving forward, and lighting is being installed on the Church Office Building plaza.
Photo: Jared Fugal
Festive Tower Cranes on Temple Square
Even the tower cranes are joining the Christmas festivities on Temple Square this year. Due to the ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple, the yearly Christmas lights have been downsized to about 30 percent of the area normally used, but it remains a popular activity in the valley. A team of 35 gardeners begin hanging the Christmas lights in August so that the dazzling display is ready to be lit after Thanksgiving. The purpose of the lights is to place focus on Jesus Christ during the Christmas season.
Photo: Jared Fugal
Temple Square Restroom Facility Under Construction
At the northwest corner of Temple Square, installation of the concrete planters along West Temple (Street) has been completed, and construction of a new restroom facility is advancing. It sits north of the tabernacle, abutting the underground choir changing rooms. This section of Temple Square will be dedicated to gardens and contemplation spaces. Crews are forming the third floor of the north addition to the Salt Lake Temple while foundation reinforcements continue. New hardscape is being installed for the Main Street Plaza, and landscapers are laying irrigation lines and planting foliage in the garden spaces of the Church Office Building plaza. Construction continues on the guest building south of the temple.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
New Guest Pavilions Under Construction on Temple Square
Crews have begun to build the new guest building on the south end of Temple Square where the South Visitors' Center once stood. The multi-level building will feature two above-ground pavilions with direct views of the Salt Lake Temple and an expansive underground exhibit hall. The pavilions will house an updated cut-away model of the temple and a statue of Jesus Christ. The exhibit hall will include an open house experience with replicas of the baptismal font and the instruction, sealing, and celestial rooms. The new guest experience will open to the public when the temple renovation is completed in 2025.
Photo: Jared Fugal
Forming the Baptismal Fonts for the Salt Lake Temple
Oval-shaped forms have been set for the baptismal fonts that will sit on the east and west ends of the underground addition on the north side of the Salt Lake Temple. Construction of the addition began nine months ago following a massive excavation. On the south side, excavation for the new visitors' center has been completed, and work on the substructure has begun. At the Church Office Building plaza, workers are installing planters and an elaborate snow-melt system for the concrete walkways.
Photo: Temple Square Facebook page
Monitoring the Movement of the Salt Lake Temple
With so much construction activity taking place both under and around the Salt Lake Temple, hundreds of monitoring devices have been installed on the interior and exterior of the structure to measure any ground and building movement. These highly sensitive devices can detect a shift of even two millimeters. More devices will be installed as needed over the coming months to help ensure the stability of the historic temple.
Photo: Amanda
North Side View of the Salt Lake Temple
Two heavily reinforced openings can been seen on the north side of the Salt Lake Temple foundation, which are playing key roles in the seismic strengthening of the historic building. Plans call for the placement of hundreds of base isolators under the granite footings to mitigate the effect of earthquake activity. The temple is estimated to weigh 187 million pounds (85 million kilograms). Construction also continues on the nearly 300,000-square-foot underground addition that will house the two baptistries, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, administrative offices, and so forth. Overhead views of the addition show the structural interior walls.
Photo: Temple Square Facebook page
Strengthening the Foundation of the Historic Salt Lake Temple
A worker emerges from one of the long steel pipes that has been inserted beneath the original footings of the Salt Lake Temple as part of the ongoing jack-and-bore process that will seismically strengthen the building. After a pipe is inserted, the soil inside is removed by hand to ensure a proper installation. The pipe is then heavily reinforced with steel and concrete, turning it into a support beam.
Photo: Jacob Oscarson
Church Office Building Plaza Landscaping Progresses
Looking west from North State Street in Salt Lake City provides a stunning view of the Church Office Building plaza and surrounding buildings including the Church Administration Building (left), Joseph Smith Memorial Building (center left), Salt Lake Temple (center), and Church Office Building (right). Young trees are being planted in garden spaces on the plaza and geofoam blocks are being used as spacers between the plaza floor and the underground parking ceiling deck. Renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square is not expected to be completed until 2025 or later.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Salt Lake Temple Reflecting Pool Removed
A view of the Main Street Plaza on Temple Square, taken from the top of the Salt Lake Temple, shows the remnants the oval walls of the reflecting pool. Plans calls for a larger replacement pool. On the left side of the photograph is the Relief Society Building and water fountain feature. In the center rear is the Church Office Building plaza where crews are installing conduit for heated sidewalks and walls are being faced in stone. Excavation for the new visitors' center buildings continues on the south side of the temple while construction begins on the second floor of a three-story underground addition on the north side that will house two baptistries, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, administrative offices, and other spaces.
Photo: Jacob Oscarson
Main Street Plaza Demolition Progressing in Salt Lake City
The Main Street Plaza in Salt Lake City closed to the public on Monday, April 11, as part of an ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and the buildings and grounds on Temple Square. A protective wall has been built around the Brigham Young Monument while heavy equipment removes the vegetation and hardscaping around it. The plaza is expected to be closed until late 2023. Improvements include updates to the waterproofing system, refurbishment of the north and south entry fountains, installation of a larger reflecting pool, and new landscaping that harmonizes the Church Office Building plaza with the Salt Lake Temple grounds.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
President Nelson Reaches Temple Announcement Milestone
President Russell M. Nelson has announced a whopping 100 temples in the four years since he was called as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 14, 2018. He has taught: "The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple. Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ."
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Main Street Plaza to Close Until Fall 2023
On April 11, 2022, the Main Street Plaza that lies east of the Salt Lake Temple will close for renovation and landscaping until late 2023. The renovation includes inspection and repair of the plaza deck, refurbishment of the entry water features, replacement of the reflection pool with a larger one, and new landscaping to better integrate the temple grounds and the Church Office Building plaza. The latest renderings of Temple Square have been released to the public. Concrete pours continue for the north addition to the temple, and the area where the North Visitors' Center stood is being built up to ground level.
Photo: Dan Hagood
Church News Podcast on the Salt Lake Temple Renovation
In a recent episode of the Church News Podcast, Sarah Jane Weaver, editor of the Church News, interviews Brent Roberts, managing director of the Special Projects Department, and Andy Kirby, director of historic temple renovations, on the current renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. The 45-minute discussion is both informative and inspiring. Brother Kirby says, "One of the main things I’ve learned in this project is that we can do difficult things, especially if we focus on the Lord and ask for His help."
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Third Year of Temple Square Renovation Underway
White Styrofoam blocks are appearing in specific formations across the concrete deck of the Church Office Building plaza that will reduce the weight placed on the parking structure below. Damaged concrete is being removed and replaced with soil that is tamped down ahead of new concrete pours. The North Visitors’ Center has been demolished, and the final debris and remnants of the basement are being removed and sorted for recycling. Excavation is underway for a staging pad under the east towers of the Salt Lake Temple, and crews are preparing for the massive concrete pours for the foundation of the three-level underground addition on the north side of the temple. Watch a video about the expert crane operators working on the renovation.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
First Presidency Statement on the Salt Lake Temple Renovation
The First Presidency has released a statement on the new estimated completion date for the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple: "The seismic strengthening of the Salt Lake Temple and the extensive remodel of the Temple and surrounding area are sacred and significant undertakings. As the project has progressed, we have learned a great deal about the condition of the temple and its surroundings. The work is truly remarkable and is being guided by the First Presidency. Inspired modifications and additions to the project and scope have been made so the temple and Temple Square can serve many generations yet to come. It is anticipated that the temple and its surroundings will be completed in 2025. We look forward to welcoming the world at that time to visit, tour and learn about this sacred temple and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Photo: Jacob Oscarson
North Visitors' Center Demolition Continues on Temple Square
Only the substructure remains of the North Visitors' Center on Temple Square where a massive renovation and seismic upgrade is underway for the Salt Lake Temple. The removal of this guest facility has opened up views of the temple from North Temple and West Temple (streets), just as demolition of the South Visitors' Center did from South Temple (street). Portions of the Temple Square wall have also been removed for better views and access to this historic center of Salt Lake City.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Staging Slab Poured for the Underground Addition to the Salt Lake Temple
As excavation for the three-level underground addition to the Salt Lake Temple nears completion, crews have poured a staging slab that will provide a level working surface for pouring the foundation. The addition will house two baptistries, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, and administrative offices. Demolition of the North Visitors' Center continues, which began the second week of November. It will be replaced with contemplation gardens and restrooms. Seismic strengthening of the temple foundation continues by way of the jack-and-bore process that positions pipes under the footings and fills them with reinforcing steel and concrete. A precision drilling machine is being prepared on the roof of the temple to vertically drill into the tower and wall columns where post-tension cables will be thread and anchored into the foundation below. At the Church Office Building plaza, footings and flag pole inserts are being installed for a display of the nations of the world.
Photo: Jacob Oscarson
Demolition of North Visitors' Center Underway on Temple Square
Demolition is underway on the North Visitors' Center at the Salt Lake Temple. The center was constructed in 1963 to welcome visitors to Temple Square—the city's most visited attraction. The crowning feature of the facility was a glass rotunda that housed a replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue. The building will be replaced with open gardens and contemplation spaces. The Christus statue will be reinstalled on Temple Square toward the end of the renovation project.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Elliptical Structure Taking Shape in the Church Office Building Plaza
A new concrete elliptical structure is being formed in the Church Office Building plaza, which will support numerous flag poles for displaying country flags. Excavation for the three-level underground addition on the north side of the temple is nearly completed and will be followed by the pouring of a concrete floor slab. The jack-and-bore process is strengthening the foundation while walers (bracing beams) have been installed to shore up the secant walls that are holding the foundation in place. Roof truss installation continues as does finial and stone removal. These stones will be cleaned, stored, and brought back later in the project.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Seismic Strengthening of the Salt Lake Temple Foundation
The jack-and-bore process began in late August at the Salt Lake Temple where 92 steel pipes are being inserted beneath the foundations of the building as part of a major seismic strengthening project. The 40-foot-long pipes are 3.5 to 4 feet in diameter and will be filled with reinforcing steel bar, post-tensioning strands, and high-strength concrete. The gaps between the pipes and foundation will be filled with grout. While excavation for the underground addition on the north side continues, more trusses are being installed on the roof with three of eight bays now completed.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Excavation Continues on the North Side of the Salt Lake Temple
On the north side of the Salt Lake Temple, excavation has reached a depth of 45 feet below street level. Construction will begin on a three-level underground addition (housing baptismal fonts, sealing rooms, dressing rooms, office space, and more) once a target depth of 65 feet has been reached. The foundation is held in place by a secant wall, comprised of interlocking concrete and steel columns. The concrete slab for a second tower crane was poured in early August on the north side. At the Church Office Building plaza, crews are repairing water-damaged concrete and pouring new landscape structures on the east end. Watch a video update of the construction project—now in its 20th month.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Iconic Christus Statue Removed from the North Visitors' Center
Dismantling of the North Visitors' Center on Temple Square is moving forward. It was announced last month that the center would be replaced with gardens. The iconic Christus statue that stood in the center's rotunda has been removed for storage until its return to Temple Square at the end of the renovation. On the north side of the temple, deeper excavations are underway for the three-level underground addition that will house maintenance facilities, two baptistries, dressing rooms, sealing rooms, and administrative offices. Secant walls are holding the existing temple foundation in place, which will be encased in a new foundation beginning next month in preparation for the base isolators that will be installed underneath. Stones continues to be removed from the top of the temple for restoration. At the Church Office Building plaza, concrete is being removed and repaired.
Photo: Jacob Oscarson
New Landscape Structures at the Church Office Building Plaza
With the demolition of the Church Office Building plaza complete, new landscape structures are being formed and poured at the east end while waterproofing continues on the roof of the employee parking garage that sits below the plaza. The renovated space will replace the former water fountain feature with an inviting east entrance, plentiful gardens, and a concentric oval plaza surrounded by flags of the nations of the world.
Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Fortifying the Roof of the Salt Lake Temple
The existing steel trusses that frame the roof of the Salt Lake Temple are being sistered with new trusses as part of the design to strengthen the building against seismic activity. The 88-foot trusses weigh about 35,000 pounds each and are secured to the existing trusses with cross bracing. The buttressed secant wall that was built around the foundation is gradually being exposed in preparation for the deeper excavations needed for the three floors of underground facilities including the baptismal fonts, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, administrative offices and so forth. The fountain on the Church Office Building plaza has now been entirely removed.