One year before the Salt Lake Temple’s grand reopening, media were given a first look at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ newly renovated Temple Square Visitors’ Center — and officials announced when tickets for the temple open house will be available.
The celebration for the Salt Lake Temple is scheduled for April 5, 2027, through October 1, 2027. The refreshed visitors’ center will open to the public May 18, 2026, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. “This visitors’ center sits in the shadow of the Salt Lake City Temple,” said Emily Belle Freeman of the Young Women General Presidency. “You may think you have been to a visitors’ center before — this is not that.”
Leaders described Monday’s unveiling as a milestone. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said the center helps guests “discover how temple teachings connect to everyday life” and offers clear context for Latter-day Saint beliefs and commitment to family and Christ.
The nearly 40,000-square-foot center blends art, story and immersive technology. Highlights include:
- A replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s beloved “Christus” in the west wing and a new marble sculpture by Swiss artist Christian Bolt, “Come Unto Me,” at the lower-level center, depicting the Savior’s invitation of peace and compassion. Bolt said the work intentionally presents Christ seated and oriented “towards humankind.”
- Interactive galleries that begin with Brigham Young’s 1847 declaration, “Here we will build a temple to our God,” and lead to a dramatic sequence where an explanatory video wall opens onto a replica temple lobby.
- Full-scale replicas of sacred temple rooms (not replicas of rooms in the Salt Lake Temple), a scale model of the Salt Lake Temple, 11 built-to-scale miniature temples with a nearby temple globe, and a narrative and presentation designed for everyone, members and visitors alike.
- Landscaped gardens with bronze statues, including two new outdoor figures of Jesus — one carrying the cross and one in Gethsemane — flanking the east and west wings.
The center is free to enter. While general admission requires no ticket, a reservation is required for the 30-minute “Inside a Temple” tour; reserve through the Temple Square app or online. Free parking is available with validation at the Conference Center; City Creek parking south of Temple Square offers the first two hours free. The Temple Square TRAX station provides direct access to the site.
Reservations for the Salt Lake Temple open house will open September 1, 2026. “It came about much better than we ever thought,” Uchtdorf said. “We’re very proud that it’s on time, on budget, and that it looks good. We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration online and in person, and we thank everyone who has accomplished this process.”