Scaffolding is beginning to come down at the Salt Lake Temple as the massive renovation project inches toward its 2027 reopening. The ongoing work, which began in earnest after the temple closed in December 2019, has recently transitioned from heavy structural reinforcement to beautification and interior finishing.
### New Statues on Temple Square
As part of the broader Temple Square renovation, new artwork has been added to the grounds to celebrate religious themes. On March 31, 2025, crews installed a new sculpture titled "Five Wise Virgins" on the east side of Temple Square near the Relief Society building, according to a press release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This marked the first statue installed on the east side of the campus and the seventh statue at Church headquarters.
The sculpture, created by Utah artist Ben Hammond, depicts women of various ethnicities and ages to reflect the diversity of the Relief Society. The work is based on the biblical Parable of the Ten Virgins from Matthew 25:1–13, which teaches the importance of spiritual preparation. Hammond noted that the figures are depicted with different heights and scales to avoid repetition and to represent the organization of the Relief Society.
### Seismic Strengthening Milestones
Throughout the construction process, engineers have focused heavily on seismic reinforcement to protect the 130-year-old structure from earthquake damage. In April 2023, Jacobsen Construction reported that crews poured 360 truckloads of concrete into the temple's foundation to prepare for the installation of 98 seismic base isolators. These isolators are designed to prevent excessive movement of the temple during a significant seismic event.
By January 28, 2025, the project reached another milestone as vertical coring was completed. This three-year effort involved drilling 46 holes from the tops of the temple's six towers and its north and south walls down to the new upper foundations. These holes, averaging 150 feet in length, were filled with post-tension steel cables to provide structural rigidity. Jacobsen Construction project engineer Nathan Espinoza explained that these cables essentially sandwich the structure to support the target load.
### Interior and Grounds Progress
While structural work has moved toward completion, other areas of the renovation continue to advance. As of January 28, 2025, construction on the temple's baptistries, instruction rooms, and sealing rooms was nearing completion. These spaces are part of a nearly 300,000-square-foot underground addition to the temple complex.
Work also continues on the temple's exterior and surroundings. Stone cladding has been added to the west entry pavilion at North Temple, and the north addition's basement level has been undergoing finish work. The Temple Square grounds are also being beautified with additional statues, including three new works on the west side titled "Joseph Receives the Plates," "The First Vision," and "Come, Follow Me."
### Historical Context of Renovation
The Salt Lake Temple renovation was originally announced by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2019. The project, intended to enhance and beautify the temple and its grounds, led to the temple's closure on December 29, 2019.
Before the heavy construction began, the site underwent significant preparation. In early 2020, crews worked on abatement of lead paint and asbestos, removed historic temple doors for preservation, and began demolishing a pedestrian tunnel at the south end of the temple to expose the existing foundation. In February 2020, the site saw the removal of trees, shrubs, and statues surrounding the temple, as well as portions of the historic Temple Square wall.
### Upcoming Celebrations
The Salt Lake Temple is expected to open its doors to the public in 2027. The Church has announced that a celebration marking the reopening of the temple and the entirety of Temple Square will run from April 5 to October 1, 2027.
Tickets for the tour are scheduled to become available for reservation starting September 1, 2026. The celebration is intended to invite visitors to learn about the mission of the temple and the history of the grounds.
