New visitor experiences are coming to Temple Square, featuring projections on the Salt Lake Tabernacle's domed ceiling and new exhibits designed to focus on the life of Jesus Christ. These updates, which were first announced in April 2026, will be available to guests before, during, and after the Salt Lake Temple Celebration.
New Features in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building
The new attractions include a variety of immersive environments across several locations on Temple Square. In the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, a new Life of Christ Theater will utilize surround-screen imagery and sound to depict biblical scenes, such as the baptism of the Savior or Jesus calming a stormy sea. Additionally, the building will feature a Life of Christ Children's Area, an interactive space designed for families to explore parables and teachings through hands-on activities and interactive storybooks.
Other features within the Joseph Smith Memorial Building include a Life of Christ Lobby, which provides a space for visitors to rest and reflect while viewing scenes from the ministry of Jesus Christ. On the mezzanine level, a chapel will host presentations regarding the role of Sunday worship in the lives of Latter-day Saints. These presentations will include videos of members discussing the impact of worship and the importance of the sacrament, which focuses on remembering the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Tabernacle Projections and Conference Center Exhibits
The Salt Lake Tabernacle will host visual presentations projected onto its iconic domed ceiling. These productions, which will last between five and eight minutes, will depict themes related to Jesus Christ and His ministry. According to a news release from ChurchofJesusChrist.org, showtimes for these dome presentations will soon be published on the Temple Square website and via the Temple Square mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
In the Conference Center, new galleries and displays will focus on the concept of God calling prophets and how their teachings can lead individuals closer to God and Jesus Christ. Visitors to the Conference Center will also encounter a replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus statue, various pieces of artwork, and scripture. The center will also feature an interactive experience centered on personal revelation.
Preparation and Spiritual Focus
The development of these experiences follows a period of significant construction and preparation for the upcoming Salt Lake Temple Celebration. To prepare for a six-month open house scheduled for next year, the Conference Center closed in March 2026 to undergo infrastructure upgrades, construction, and exhibit development, according to a February 18 news release from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and member of the Missionary Executive Council emphasized the spiritual intent behind the upgrades. In an Aug. 17 news release, Renlund stated, "These new Temple Square experiences have been designed to help all guests learn of Jesus Christ. He is the focus. We hope and pray that the millions of guests who come to Temple Square every year and engage with these new experiences will be inspired and come to know their Savior better."
Implementation and Availability
While the specific details for the opening of these experiences have not been announced, the initiatives are intended to be available throughout the Salt Lake Temple Celebration. The updates represent a significant expansion of the visitor offerings at one of Utah's most prominent tourist destinations, integrating modern technology like surround-screen imagery and ceiling projections with traditional religious art and exhibits.
