The new Temple Square Visitors’ Center has officially opened to the public in Salt Lake City, providing a new hub for visitors while renovations continue at the historic Salt Lake Temple. The opening marks a significant step in the broader reopening of Temple Square and the temple itself, which is scheduled to host public tours from April 5 through Oct. 1, 2027.
New Visitor Experiences
The visitors' center, which opened on Monday, May 18, 2026, features interactive exhibits designed to demonstrate how temples serve as sacred spaces rooted in faith, family, and service. Visitors can explore new art-glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Christ, a new cutaway scale model of the Salt Lake Temple, and the iconic Christus statue, which now stands before large windows with the temple in the background.
Tour and Access Information
Most experiences at the center are self-guided and available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. without the need for reservations. However, the center offers a 30-minute guided "Inside a Temple" tour on the lower level, which requires a reservation. Starting June 1, additional tickets for this specific tour will be released in batches every other Monday, per a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints press release.
Accessibility and Navigation
The center's offerings are currently available in English, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish, with American Sign Language expected to be added soon. The facility was designed with accessibility and comfort in mind, and a new Temple Square app is available on Apple and Android devices to help guests navigate the space.
Temple Renovation Progress
While the visitors' center is open, major construction remains underway at the Salt Lake Temple. Crews have already fully installed a new copper roof, a milestone that will eventually develop a natural green patina over the next year. Inside the temple, work is progressing on the installation of chandeliers in the celestial room, sealing rooms in the sealing wing addition, and intricate finishings on the staircase railings.
Exterior Site Improvements
Outside the temple, crews are installing stone pavement to define walkways and gathering areas to accommodate increased visitor flow. Additional work is being conducted on decorative fencing and parquet wood flooring in the temple entrance buildings.
Global Temple Growth
The opening of the center follows a period of global temple dedications by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In mid-August 2026, President Dallin H. Oaks dedicated the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple, while Elder David A. Bednar dedicated the Cleveland Ohio Temple on Aug. 16, 2026.
Historical Context
The expansion of these sacred spaces continues a long-standing tradition of temple construction, including the dedication of the San Diego California Temple as far back as April 25, 1993.
