Insights into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

November 2024 Status on the Renovation of Temple Square

Every building on temple square (except the Tabernacle, which was upgraded in 2007) are being remodeled. Additionally every building on office square (Church Administration Building, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Lion House and Behive House are all being renovated). Only the Church Office building and the Relief Society building are not being touched. The Church Office Building was renovated in 1997 and the Relief Society Building was renovated in 2019.

The southwest portion of Temple Square where the Assembly Hallis located continues to progress with the new garden area that sits between the Assembly Hall and the Tabernacle. The garden was built in same style as the northwest corner of temple square, which has been open for a year now. The Northwest section was also lit up for Christmas 2024.

Some work has been done on the Assembly Hall itself particularly the west foundation.

The restoration of the priesthood statues formerly located on the east side of temple square have found a new home on the west side. They are now located between the Tabernacle and the Assembly Hall, near the west wall of temple square.

PR Plazza — This is the new walkway to the Priesthood Restoration statues, located between the Tabernacle and the Assembly Hallon the west side.

Central Walkway — This is the new central walkway to the Assembly Hall, from the Tabernacle. Previously the central part of this area was grass and flowers.

Small Building — This small building is near the west fence line. You can see a section of wrought iron fence in the foreground being constructed.

East Side of Assembly Hall — A view looking to the southeast corner east of the Assembly Hall, the grass is in place. In the backgropund is the new seagull monument.

West Side Walkway — The west side walkway near the west fence line. It runs from the tabernacle to the Assembly Hall. Watering lines can be seen in the garden area.

Work on the twin towers of the Temple Experience Center near South Temple moved close to completion of all of the exterior work. The west tower's exterior is complete, while the east tower is complete, except for portions of its west side. As with the temple expansion most of the temple experience center is underground.

TEC-West Towner — The west tower of the Temple Experience Center as seen from South Temple Street.

TEC-West Tower — The east side of the east tower of the Temple Experience Center as seen from Main Street Plaza.

I'd been looking forward to see the area around the temple to be backfilled with dirt. It is now clear that tunnels are being constructed around the east, south and west portions of the temple. Exactly what these tunnels will be used for is not clear. Perhaps a part of their function is evacuation from the lover levels should a fie occur. Tunnels run all over the area between Office Square, Temple Square and Conference Sqare, and probably even to the apartment building east of Office Square where the President of the Church lives. This allows people to move all around the area without going outside.

One these tunnels are complete, the area around the temple will backfilled.

Salt Lake Temple East Elevation. Note the material elevator just west of center.

The new north annex of the temple runs from near the north wall of the temple all the way to the future fence at North Temple Street. Three full floors are underground. This area will be used for the two baptistries, locker rooms, instruction rooms, and administrative offices. My guess is that those two towers that extend above ground will be for sealing rooms and sealing offices and a recommend desk. The steel frame work for those towers is in place. The next step is to install stone on the exterior. That step is underway now.

NE Tower — The northeast tower near North Temple and Main Street Plaza.

NW Tower — The northwest building at the north end of the temple extension. This building is a mirror image of the northeast building.

The northwest quadrant of temple square has been complete for a full year now. This year it was decorated as part of the "Lights at Temple Square" annual tradition. Next year the southwest quadrant will also be complete and the entire west side of temple square will be decorated.

North of Tabernacle — An east-west walkway north of the tabernacle. This area was lighted for Christmas 2024.

A view of the Temple from the northwest garden area. The tabernacle is on the left.

Main Street plaza was opened during 2024. This year some Christmas sceenes were set up again for the holiday season. The plaza is a popular place for people to gather and take pictures. The plaza is a walkway that runs along the east side of temple square and the west side of office square.

President Young — The Brigham Young Monument at the South End of Main Street Plaza.

New Fountain — One of a pair of fountains at the South End of Main street Plaza. The fountains compliment those on the north end of Main Street Plaza.

A view of the south end of Main Street Plaza, taken from the sourth side of South Temple Street.

South Christmas — A Christmas sceen on the South side of Main Street Plaza.

North Christmas — A Christmas sceen on the Nouth side of Main Street Plaza.

Reflecting Pond — Joseph Mary and the Christ Child in the center of the reflecting pond, due east of the temple and the main walkway through Office Square.

Pond and Temple — A vew of the reflecting pond east of the temple.

Two lions on the facade of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Originally the building was known as the Hotel Utah. It was built long ago for visitors to Salt Lake City. It was dedicated as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in 1991 by President Hinckley. Portions of the building are currently being remodeled. This view is from Main Street Plaza.