The historic doors of the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have returned to adorn the sacred structure. On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, crews reinstalled one set of the east doors on the temple.
Renovation milestone reached
The installation follows the installation of the west doors which occurred a few weeks prior. This event serves as a significant step in the yearslong renovation process and acts as a milestone toward the Salt Lake Temple Celebration planned for 2027.
Looking toward 2027 celebration
Richard Sutton, senior director in the Temple Department over the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, stated that the installation marks movement toward the celebration held from April through October 2027. He noted that the event will allow the world to come inside the house of the Lord and that the temple will be open and rededicated for worship.
A once-in-a-lifetime project
Tom Lindhardt, a senior project manager with the Church's Special Projects Department, described the project as a once-in-a-lifetime endeavor. He said that putting the doors back on is an exciting milestone because it represents the finishing of the temple.
Intricate details of oak doors
The iconic oak doors feature intricate details, including circular designs with interlocking letters believed to represent House of the Lord. The east doors were designed by draftsman Karl Conrad Schaub, while family tradition suggests the craftsmanship may be attributed to Danish carpenter Herman August Thorup, though this remains unconfirmed.
Ensuring proper door functionality
During the installation process, Austin Gifford, a project manager with Fetzer Architectural Woodwork, mentioned the importance of ensuring the doors swing and hang correctly. He noted that the two doors closed well and would likely not require much further adjustment.
Symbolism and historical restoration
Jacob W. Olmstead, a manager in the historic sites division in the Church History Department, said the meticulous nature of crafting these doors is symbolic of the immense faith placed on the house of the Lord. Additionally, Jehoshua Fajardo, a superintendent with Jacobsen Construction, expressed excitement about restoring this part of history to its original location for visitors to Temple Square.
The Salt Lake Temple Celebration is scheduled to take place from April 5 through October 1, 2027. This event will provide the public an opportunity to experience the renovated temple and Temple Square.
Tickets for the celebration are expected to be available starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
