Three new statues depicting Jesus Christ were installed on Salt Lake City’s Temple Square during the middle of July 2026, marking a significant addition to the grounds as the historic renovation of the Salt Lake Temple continues. The new sculptures illustrate foundational moments from the Savior's earthly ministry, including his first declaration as the Messiah.
New Sculptures Highlight Ministry
The three newly installed pieces, which were placed on the grounds between July 15 and July 16, 2026, focus on specific biblical events. According to Church News, the sculptures include "Jesus Christ With the Woman at the Well," which depicts the scene from John 4:5–42 where Jesus declares himself the Messiah to a woman of Samaria.
The second statue, titled "Jesus Christ Ordains Apostles," represents the event in Mark 3:13–19 where the Savior ordained 12 apostles to preach and possess power to heal. The third piece, "Jesus Christ and Mary at the Tomb," depicts the resurrected Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene at an empty tomb, as recorded in John 20:11–18.
Previous Art Installations
The installation of these three statues follows a previous wave of art debuts on the Temple Square grounds. As reported by Church Newsroom in March 2026, two other statues had been unveiled on the south side of the Salt Lake Temple near the Visitors’ Center plaza during the Easter season.
Those earlier works included "Jesus Christ Carrying the Cross," a piece by sculptor Michael Hall—who also created the First Vision statue at Temple Square—and "Jesus Christ in Gethsemane," created by the husband-and-wife duo Stefanie and Roger Hunt. While those March sculptures were visible to the public, they were located in an area of Temple Square that remained under construction.
Upcoming Unveilings Planned
The Church has announced that the art program for Temple Square is not yet complete. According to a July 27, 2026, report from Church News, two additional statues are scheduled to be unveiled in the coming weeks. These upcoming pieces will feature "Jesus Christ With Mary and Martha," based on Luke 10:38–42, and "Jesus Christ Blessing the Children," based on Mark 10:13–15.
These various works are intended to serve as a testament that Jesus Christ is at the center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with statues placed across the grounds and exhibits within the Temple Square Visitors’ Center designed to support this theme.
Ongoing Temple Renovations
The addition of these sculptures occurs amidst a massive, multi-year seismic upgrade and renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. In late June 2026, the Church confirmed that the multiyear seismic upgrade on the temple was completed, leaving the pioneer-era structure resting on a new base isolation system. This engineering feat allows the temple to move up to five feet in any direction during an earthquake.
Recent structural work has also seen the return of historic elements to the building. In late June 2026, refurbished oak doors were reinstalled on the east side of the Salt Lake Temple, following the return of the west doors earlier that month.
Preparation for 2027 Celebration
As the renovation progresses, the Church is preparing for the highly anticipated Salt Lake Temple Celebration, which is scheduled to run from April 5 through October 1, 2027. During this six-month period, the public will be invited to tour the interior of the historic temple.
To support this event, the Church has released a toolkit containing communication materials and planning guides to help members worldwide coordinate local efforts and participation in the celebration.
Public Access Status
While much of Temple Square remains a construction site, several areas and buildings are already open to the public. This includes the Temple Square Visitors’ Center, which has recently introduced new tours such as the 'Inside a Temple' experience.
