Crews began reinstalling one set of the historic east doors at the Salt Lake Temple on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the multi-year renovation project. The installation follows the recent return of the temple's west end exterior doors and serves as a precursor to the massive Salt Lake Temple Celebration scheduled for 2027.
Significance of East Door Installation
The reinstallation of the east doors, which features intricate oak craftsmanship, represents a major step toward completing the renovation of the sacred structure. According to reports from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the event symbolizes the literal opening of the temple's doors to welcome the world during the upcoming 2027 festivities.
Progress Toward 2027 Celebration
Richard Sutton, the senior director in the Temple Department overseeing the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, noted that the installation marks movement toward the celebration held from April through October 2027. He stated that the event will allow everyone to come inside the house of the Lord and that this milestone indicates the temple is nearing completion and eventual rededication for worship.
Scale of Renovation Project
The project has been a long-term undertaking for Church officials and contractors. Tom Lindhardt, a senior project manager with the Church's Special Projects Department, described the scale of the work as a "once in a lifetime" type of project. He noted that after working on the renovation for such an extended period, seeing the doors returned to their original place is an exciting milestone representing the finish line for the temple.
Recap of West Door Return
As previously reported by Church newsroom updates, the west end exterior doors were successfully returned to the temple a few weeks prior to the Tuesday installation of the east doors. The return of these iconic oak doors brings back a backdrop that has been featured in thousands of family photographs, including weddings, reunions, and missionary milestones.
Technical Challenges of Installation
The technical aspects of the installation required precision from specialized crews. Austin Gifford, a project manager with Fetzer Architectural Woodwork, admitted that the process of closing the doors for the first time can be nerve-wracking to ensure they are hanging and swinging properly. However, he expressed confidence in the installers and noted that the two doors closed well without requiring significant further adjustment.
The doors themselves carry deep historical and symbolic weight. They feature distinctive circular designs with interlocking letters believed to represent the phrase "House of the Rex," a concept found on all temples of the Church worldwide. While draftsman Karl Conrad Schaub is credited with designing the east doors, a family tradition suggests the craftsmanship may be attributed to Danish carpenter Herman August Thorup, though this remains unconfirmed by his journals.
Church historians and construction leaders emphasized the spiritual and historical significance of the restoration. Jacob W. Olmstead, manager in the historic sites division of the Church History Department, said the meticulous nature of crafting the doors is symbolic of the immense faith Latter-day Saints place on the temple project and their connection to Jesus Christ.
Jehoshua Fajardo, a superintendent with Jacobsen Construction, added that being able to restore this piece of history to its original location is exciting for those who visit Temple Square. The restoration allows visitors to enjoy the visual experience of the renovated site as it returns to its intended state.
Looking ahead, the Salt Lake Temple Celebration is scheduled to run from April 5 through October 1, 2027. The event is designed to give the public a unique opportunity to experience the renovated temple and Temple Square, specifically for those who may have been unable to enter the building during previous decades of renovation.
For those planning to attend the 2027 celebration, tickets are expected to become available starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
