SALT LAKE CITY — The doors of the new Visitors' Center on Temple Square opened to the public Monday morning, following years of construction.
The weather, rainy, windy and cold, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the visitors. Temple Square has always been a destination for people from around the world and throughout the country, and those we spoke with were so happy to have come.
A steady stream of visitors, not only from Utah but from around the world, came to see the new exhibits in the Visitors' Center on Temple Square.
At the Christus Statue, they can listen to music and sit for a few minutes of peace and reflection. At the replica of the Salt Lake Temple, visitors can learn a little history about the pioneer-era building and see, in miniature, what the interior rooms look like and what they represent.
(Photo courtesy: Church Newsroom photographers)
Then, those who made reservations took an “Inside a Temple” tour: a 30-minute guided tour through rooms that offer everyone a better understanding of what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does as members represent their ancestors in sacred ordinances or ceremonies.
Experiencing Visitors' Center on Temple Square
Those we spoke with were so grateful that they came.
Erin Stewart was visiting from Kaysville.
“Just going in through each of the rooms was just so fascinating, to feel the spirit and relearn what we do in the ordinance rooms,” Stewart said. “The sister missionaries who were our tour guides explained it very well.”
Addie Sanders came from Farmington.
“I like that the church isn't afraid to, like, show what goes on in the temple,” Sanders said.
Kadin Tanner was also visiting from Kaysville.
“When I walked in, I was surprised at how similar it felt to the actual temple,” Tanner said. “I think it was a presence of the spirit that made it feel so similar.”
The Blomdal family traveled from the Bay Area in California. They said they will always remember the experience.
“We can talk about things we've already talked about in our home, inside a small area and actually point out things,” David Blomdal said. “The kids were all excited to recognize (what) they'd seen pictures of a baptismal font, pictures of a sealing room. And for them to be like, ‘There is it, right there,' was a great experience.”
David's oldest is 14-year-old Molly, who attends the temple to do baptisms.
“I think it elevated how reverent we have to be and how sacred it is … I just love how people explain it,” Molly said.
Her younger sister, 8-year-old Sydney, said her favorite part “was when we got to see where people got baptized for the dead.”
I chatted with Nancy Sylvester who works in downtown Salt Lake City.
“This has been really neat to be a part of,” she said. “I work across the street, so just seeing it all come up and seeing it open, I had to run over here.”
Sylvester did not have a reservation Monday for the “Inside a Temple” tour but said everyone should come and visit the center anyway.
“My spirit was just touched immediately, as soon as I walked in … You don't have to wait in line to get that experience, you'll get it as soon as you walk in,” she said.
The Visitors' Center on Temple Square is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
You need reservations for the “Inside a Temple” tour. Reservations will be available starting on June 1 on the Temple Square app or on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website.
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