Announcement

The location for the temple was first marked by Mormon prophet Brigham Young, the second president of the church, on July 28, 1847, just four days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. In 1901 the apostle Anthon H. Lund recorded in his journal that “it is said” that Oliver Cowdery’s divining rod was used to locate the temple site.^[2]Anthon H. Lund Journal, July 5, 1901, cited by BYU Prof. D. Michael Quinn https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/latter-day-saint-prayer-circles

Site Dedication

The temple site was dedicated on February 14, 1853 by Heber C. Kimball.

Groundbreaking/Cornerstone

Groundbreaking ceremonies were presided over by Young, who laid the cornerstone on April 6 of that year.^[3]Hanks, Marion D. “Salt Lake Temple”. LDS FAQ. BYU Studies. Retrieved October 11, 2012.

The architect was Truman O. Angell, and the temple features both Gothic and Romanesque elements.

Construction

Sandstone was originally used for the foundation. During the Utah War, the foundation was buried and the lot made to look like a plowed field to prevent unwanted attention from federal troops. After tensions had eased in 1858 and work on the temple resumed, it was discovered that many of the foundation stones had cracked, making them unsuitable for use. Although not all of the sandstone was replaced, the inadequate sandstone was replaced. The walls are quartz monzonite (which has the appearance of granite) from Little Cottonwood Canyon, located twenty miles (32 km) southeast of the temple site. Oxen transported the quarried rock initially, but as the Transcontinental Railroad neared completion in 1869 the remaining stones were carried by rail at a much faster rate.^[4]Hanks, Marion D. “Salt Lake Temple”. LDS FAQ. BYU Studies. Retrieved October 11, 2012.

Capstone

The capstone—the granite sphere that holds the statue of the Angel Moroni—was laid on April 6, 1892, by means of an electric motor and switch operated by Wilford Woodruff, the church’s fourth president, thus completing work on the temple’s exterior. The Angel Moroni statue, standing 12.5 feet (3.8 m) tall, was placed on top of the capstone later the same day.^[5]“Temple capstone laid 100 years ago”, Church News, April 4, 1992, retrieved October 11, 2012

At the capstone ceremony it was proposed by Woodruff that the interior of the building be finished within one year, thus allowing the temple to be dedicated forty years to the day of its commencement. John R. Winder was instrumental in overseeing the completion of the interior on schedule; he would serve as a member of the temple presidency until his death in 1910.

Most of the details in this section are taken from “History of the Salt Lake Temple,” a thesis by William Alan Raynor.

Announcement

Jesse Carter Little kept a diary of the Journey the pioneers made across the plains. Using a sextant and a compass he cataloged latitude and longitude, place names and miles for the entire trek westward. On the Day the pioneers entered the valley, 24 July 1847, his diary contains one entry. It reads, in part:

“….Northern boundary of the Temple Square 40 Degrees latitude and 11 degrees longitude.^[6]”Discovery of pioneer journal sheds light on Temple Square mystery” Deseret News, 20 July 2017. Accessed 23 September 2017.

Tradition holds that 4 days after the arrival, 28 July 1847, Brigham Young walked to a section of land located between two creeks in the heart of the valley while in the company of Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and many others. Brigham placed his cane into the ground,^[7]Susa Young Gates, The Life Story of Brigham Young. New York, 1931. then, waving his hand around him said

“Here is the forty acres for the temple. The city can be laid out perfectly square north and south east and west.”

The motion was then made and carried to set aside 40 acres for the building of the temple, and the motion accepted.^[8]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017

Wilford Woodruff drove a wooden stake into the hole left by Brigham Young’s cane to mark the location of the temple.^[9]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017 Days later, as the city was being planned, and after much discussion, the decision was made to reduce the number of acres to 10, as it was felt 40 was unnecessary.^[10] Edward W. Tullidge, “History of Salt Lake City,” Salt Lake City, Utah 1886, p. 47-48.

On 23 December of 1847, the Church circulated a letter calling for contributions of precious metals and other materials in preparation for building the temple.^[11]James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965), 1:333.

1850

Truman O. Angell Sr. was named as architect of the Church’s public works department (and consequently became temple architect as well) on 26 May 1850.^[12]Kate B. Carter, “Heart Throbs of the West,” Salt Lake City Utah: Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 1939, P. 222.^[13]Richard O. Cowan, “The Design, Construction, and Role of the Salt Lake Temple, ” in Salt Lake City: The Place Which God Prepared, ed. Scott C. Esplin and Kenneth L. Alford (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2011), 47–68.^[14]Marion D. Hanks “Salt Lake Temple History” Light Planet. Accessed 23 September 2017.

1851

On 22 February the Red Butte Railroad Company was formed. The purpose of this railroad was to build a track to the red butte quarry. Carts would be towed up this track by ox teams, then the loaded carts would be coasted back down the track with a brakeman on board to slow the cart when it reached temple square.^[15]Wallace Raynor Interview with James Sharp, 7 February 1959

At the April conference in 1851, a motion was made to build the temple, and was carried with acclamation. Daniel H Wells was then appointed to be construction supervisor.^[16]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017^[17]”Deseret News Weekly,” Salt Lake City, 19 April 1851, p. 1. Additionally the announcement was made about the coming Red Butte Railroad, and plans to have it assist in the construction of the temple:

“A railroad has been chartered to extend from the Temple Block in this city to the stone quarry and mountain on the east, for the conveyance of building materials; the construction to commence immediately.”^[18]James E Talmadge , “The House of the Lord,” p. 114

By the last day of April, construction had begun on the Red Butte Rail line.^[19]History of Salt Lake Stake, 30 April  1851.

1852

Shortly after the start of 1852, the decision was made to make the Red Butte Rail line a graded road and use broad tire wagons to hall the lumber and stone instead.

In the April Conference Truman O. Angell, already the architect of the Church’s public works department, was sustained as the official architect of the Church.^[20]Wendell J Ashton, “Theirs is the Kingdom” Salt Lake City Utah: Bookcraft & Co, 1945, p. 139.

On 3 August 1852 men were put to work building the 14 foot sandstone walls that surround temple square. ^[21]Arnold K. Garr, Richard O. Cowan, and Donald Q. Cannon, eds., Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000), 966–67. ^[22]”Deseret Weekly News,” 7 April 1851.

At the October General Conference, The a vote was put forward as to the material the temple should be constructed from, sandstone, adobe, or the best local stone. The vote was for the best local stone and the Presidency was charged with determining where the stone other materials should be obtained from.^[23]Heber C. Kimball, in Journal of Discourses (London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot, 1854), 1:160, 162.

Groundbreaking

Construction officially began on 14 February 1853. Jesse W. Fox surveyed the site, and then Brigham Young spoke, talking about the need for temples, and how it was not needed that every portion of a temple be dictated by revelation. He put forth that as we know what needs to go into a house of dwelling, so those who had received the ordinances in the previous temple knew what needed to go into this one. He then proposed that:

“In a few days I shall be able to give a plan on paper and, then if heaven or any good man on earth, will suggest any improvements, we will receive them and adopt them.^[24]”Deseret News Weekly” Salt Lake City, 14 February 1853.

Music and a Song were then performed, after which Heber C. Kimball offered a dedicatory prayer on the grounds. Then, preceding to the South East Corner of the site, one square foot of earth was loosened, and Brigham Young cast aside the first shovel of dirt.^[25]”Deseret News Weekly” Salt Lake City, 14 February 1853.

According to the account in the Deseret News Weekly, after the loosening of the dirt, and prior to the first shovelful being moved a silver dollar fell onto the loosened soil, and no one new where it came from. President Kimball prophesied that it was a sign that means to build the temple would not be wanted.^[26]”Deseret News Weekly” Salt Lake City, 14 February 1853.

Though some of the crowd returned to their homes shortly after the groundbreaking, many people stayed and commenced the work of preparing to lay the foundation.

Wilford Woodruff was appointed Superintendent of the foundation digging on 21 February.^[27]Manuscript History of Brigham Young, February 21, 1853, p. 32.

Cornerstone Ceremony

On 6 April of 1853, in conjunction with General Conference and the 23rd anniversary of the Church, the cornerstone ceremony was held for the Salt Lake Temple. Firestone sandstone quarried from Red Butte Canyon had been brought to the site for use as the Cornerstones and foundation of the new temple.^[28]Richard O. Cowan, “The Design, Construction, and Role of the Salt Lake Temple, ” in Salt Lake City: The Place Which God Prepared, ed. Scott C. Esplin and Kenneth L. Alford (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2011), 47–68. After convening General conference in the first tabernacle built on Temple Square a procession of bands and the First Presidency conducted the crowd tot he South East Corner, where the First Presidency and Church Patriarch laid the first cornerstone. The Presiding Bishopric representing the lesser priesthood than laid the South west corner, followed by the Presidency of the High priests, the High Council and the Stake Presidency laying the North west corner, and the Twelve apostles with representatives of the seventies and elders laying the North West Corner in the pattern taught by Joseph Smith on the other temples.^[29]Richard O. Cowan, “The Design, Construction, and Role of the Salt Lake Temple, ” in Salt Lake City: The Place Which God Prepared, ed. Scott C. Esplin and Kenneth L. Alford (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2011), 47–68.

When conference reconvened,  Brigham Young taught the following:

“I scarcely ever say much about revelations, or visions, but suffice it to say, five years ago last July [1847] I was here, and saw in the Spirit the Temple not ten feet from where we have laid the Chief Corner Stone. I have not inquired what kind of a Temple we should build. Why? Because it was represented before me. I have never looked upon that ground, but the vision of it was there. I see it as plainly as if it was in reality before me. Wait until it is done. I will say, however, that it will have six towers, to begin with, instead of one. Now do not any of you apostatize because it will have six towers, and Joseph only built one. It is easier for us to build sixteen, than it was for him to build one. The time will come when there will be one in the centre of Temples we shall build, and on the top, groves and fish ponds. But we shall not see them here, at present.”^[30]Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 1:133.”

Construction

By 17 June 1853 the Red Butte road was completed and the work of hauling rock and lumber for the temple was begun.^[31]”Deseret Weekly News,” 18 June 1853.

1855

On 1 February the Legislative assembly granted rights to Brigham Young, Isaac Chase, and Feramorz Little to build a canal from Big Cottonwood Canyon to Salt Lake City. The purpose of this proposed canal would have been to float granite from the area of the canyons closer to Salt Lake, with any Surplus used for irrigation. and the hope was the Canal would be ready by summer of 1856.^[32]”Deseret News Weekly,” 1 May 1852.

William Ward, a stone-cutter who had some architectural training was asked to be Truman O’ Angel’s assistant on 9 March.^[33]Truman O. Angell, “Diary” March 9 – April 28 1855. LDS historians historian office. William Ward would later relate the following:

“Brigham Young drew upon a slate in the architect’s office a sketch, and said to Truman O. Angell: ‘There will be three towers on the east, representing the President and his two counselors; also three similar towers on the west representing the Presiding Bishop and his two counselors; the towers on the east the Melchisedek priesthood, those on the west the Aaronic preisthood. The center towers will be higher than those on the sides, and the west towers a little lower than those on the east end. The body of the building will be between these.’”^[34]“Who Designed the Temple?” Deseret News Weekly, April 23, 1892, 578.

Truman Angel, having been a skilled Carpenter who had worked as a wood Joiner on both the Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples took up the task of developing the general design of parts of the temple, and Ward, having been trained in architecture in England and was skilled in Stone construction, took Angell’s designs and drew detailed plans for each course of stone. By 28 April of the same year they had completed plans for the foundation and portions of the temple basement, and Brigham Young had approved those plans.^[35]Richard O. Cowan, “The Design, Construction, and Role of the Salt Lake Temple, ” in Salt Lake City: The Place Which God Prepared, ed. Scott C. Esplin and Kenneth L. Alford (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2011), 47–68.

Not long after completion of these initial plans Brigham Young Called Truman Angell to a mission to study architecture in Europe, setting him apart as a missionary prior to his departure:

“You shall have power and means to go from place to place, from country to country, and view the various specimens of architecture that you may desire to see, and you will wonder at the works of the Ancients and marvel to see what they have done: and you will be quick to comprehend the architectural designs of men in various ages, and you will rejoice all the time, and take drafts of valuable works of architecture, and be better qualified to continue your work and you will increase in knowledge upon the Temple and other buildings and many will wonder at the knowledge you possess.”^[36]Truman O. Angell, “Diary C,” 3 April 1856.

The foundation of Sandstone was completed to a height of 8 feet by the end of June, and work commenced on the inverted arches that would hold and redistribute the immense weight of the granite walls above them. The firestone sandstone foundation was 16 feet wide at the base, and tapered in 3 feet on each side, inside and out, till the walls reached a height of 7.5 feet. The stone was rough, fitted stones in a lime based mortar. It is estimated that the footer up to the eight foot mark where the basement commenced was 101,056 cubic feet, weighing about 14,956,288 lbs (7,478 tons.) This is estimated to be 33% more stone than was used to build the entire Nauvoo Temple.

A drought throughout the summer had caused men to be pulled from other projects, including the quarry, to work on the Cottonwood to Salt Lake Canal, and by August of 1855 larg sections had already been completed.

Work on the temple virtually ceased in the fall of 1856 due to a poor harvest and lack of supplies to support workers. Physical work on the temple would not commence to any large scale again until spring of 1857.

1856

On 13 June water was turned into the first section of the Cottonwood to Salt Lake Canal for irrigation purposes.

Truman Angel arrived in England on 13 July 1856, where he spent several months before moving to France. He visited many historical and architecturally significant structures.

1857

Truman received a letter from Brigham Young on 27 January 1857 asking him to return home, as his help was need for the temple. Upon his return he found that his assistant William Ward had quit his position and moved to St. Louis, leaving the work needing to be done to pile up on Truman Angell’s desk.^[37]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017

The Wall around the Temple square, a low priority to this point, was completed on 23 May. The finished wall comprised 3 feet of red sandstone, followed by 10 feet of adobe bricks, with a sandstone coping one feet in height. The wall was hen dressed in cement, and completely enclosed the block except for central openings on each side.^[38]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017

On 18 June Edward Parry laid the first stone of the basement story in the Northwest corner of the temple. It was reported:

“All along the foundation walls huge stones, averaging about two tons in weight, were strewn in readiness for being placed in their positions, while numerous stonecutters were busily occupied in shaping the rude blocks from the quarry.”^[39]”Deseret News,” 24 June 1857.

On 24 July word was received that almost 1/6 of the United States regular Army was enroute to Utah, and plans were made to defend the territory. Many projects were abandoned at this time, including temple construction and work on the Cottonwood to Salt Lake Canal as preparations were made against the coming of the army.

1858

Brigham Young issued instructions to hide the temple and the work related.  To this point, 6 temples had been planned. Adam-Ondi-Ahman and Independence were never begun, Far West only proceeded as far as the cornerstones. Kirtland And Nauvoo were completed, but Kirtland had been abandoned and desecrated, while Nauvoo had been abandoned and finally destroyed completely just 2 years earlier. Now the Salt Lake Temple, as far as the foundation, was apparently threatened.

But in April there was still a feeling of hope:

“The President remarked to Brother Smith, ‘I do not feel the least gloom over the city, nor have not felt but what we shall remain here and finish the temple.’ “^[40]Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 12 April 1858.

By 6 May the entirety of the temple construction, including tools and plans had been cached in the footings trenches, covered with dirt, and plowed over. When the army passed through the center of the city on 26 June they found the city empty, and a walled off plowed field in the city center.

On 30 June, Brigham Young declared his satisfaction with the Army’s conduct and declared from his temporary headquarters in Provo Utah that all who wished to retern were now at liberty to do so.

Ironically, though the coming of the army, while halting construction of the temple, made temple construction financially easier for a time. William Clayton wrote to George Q. Cannon in England the following:

The Great Buchanan Expedition, cost the Government millions, and accomplished nothing, except making many of the saints comparatively rich, and improving the circumstances of most of the people of Utah.”^[41]”Millenial Star,” August 1861, P.566

1860

In Late spring of 1860 work commenced on a public road to run from Salt Lake City to Little Cottonwood canyon in preparation for moving Granite to the temple site.^[42]”Deseret Weekly News,” 28 May 1860. First contract to haul stone from Little Cottonwood is given to John Sharp that spring as well.^[43]”Manuscript History of Brigham Young,” 26 May 1860, p. 143. Multiple teams were used, keeping about a 1 mile distance between traveling teams while two smaller units would travel the road keeping it in repair and repairing equipment.^[44]Wallace Raynor Interview with James Sharp, 7 February 1959 In addition to this contract set of teams wards were appealed to to hall loads as well. Quotas were determined based upon ward size and distance from Salt Lake.^[45]”Letter to Bishops, 12 October 1867, Brigham Young’s Letterbooks, p. 423.” LDS Historian’s Office, Steel File

By the summer of 1860 work had cautiously commenced on exhuming the foundations of the temple. As the excavation progressed cracks were discovered in the Firestone foundation. Concerned that such a foundation could not support the weight of the temple, Brigham dismissed the workers for and resolved not to be removed from the site until he knew what was to be done. In a discussion with Bishop Archibald Gardner, the decision was made to start over, using less mortar to prevent cracking and spreading.^[46]Delila Gardner Hughes, “Life of Archibald Gardner. Pioneer of 1847,” West Jordan Utah Alpine Publishing Company. 1939, p. 139. It would later be determined that the firestone sandstone, which was used in many buildings around Salt Lake and not just the temple footings, was very pourus, allowing water to seep into the stone and then freeze. This would in turn cause cracking and fracturing.^[47] Cowan, Richard O. (2012). “Latter-day Saint Temples as Symbols”. Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture. 21 (1). Retrieved July 10, 2017.

1861

On 12-13 April The Civil War starts with the attack on Fort Sumter.

1862

An announcement was made by Brigham Young on 2 March of 1862 that the Cottonwood Canal Project was canceled:

“We have learned some things in relation to the nature of the soil in which the bed of the canal is made that we did not know before. We pretty much completed that canal, or, in other words, we hewed out that cistern, but, behold, it would not hold water.”^[48]”Journal of Discourses,” IX, 240.

One of the individuals who worked on the canal, W. C. A. Smoot would later give the following explanation about the failure of the canal:

“When the water… reached the point on the side of the mountain round which it passed Parley’s Canyon, the soil was of such a nature that the fluid sank nearly as rapidly as it entered… and the water seeping down as it did in quantity from the hillside, threatened with destruction the newly established woolen mill a short distance below…”^[49]”Deseret News,” 18 December 1909, p. 13.

In the summer of 1862 work finished up on replacing the broken portions of the foundation, and the process of placing carefully cut and numbered block for the walls of the temple then began.^[50]”Deseret News Weekly,” 6 June

On 8 July 1862 brought the Morrill Anti-Bigamy act, passed by the senate and signed into law by Abraham Lincoln, which directly targeted the Church’s practice of polygamy and the Church’s influence in Utah Politics. The act had no funding behind it, and Lincoln made no effort to uphold it. Lincoln later made comments that made it clear he had every intention of leaving the church alone so far as they made no effort to get involved in the Civil War.^[51] Firmage, Edwin Brown; Mangrum, Richard Collin (2001), Zion in the courts, University of Illinois Press, p. 139, ISBN 0-252-06980-3, Having signed the Morrill Act, Lincoln reportedly compared the Mormon Church to a log he had encountered as a farmer that was “too hard to split, too wet to burn and too heavy to move, so we plow around it. That’s what I intend to do with the Mormons. You go back and tell Brigham Young that if he will let me alone, I will let him alone.”

1864

On 21 August a meeting was held to propose another canal for transporting block. This one would go from the Jordan River near the point of the mountain and would intersect the original canal.^[52]”Deseret Weekly News,” 24 August 1864

31 August  Bishop John Sharp was instructed by Brigham Young to start laying the walls of the temple by contract.^[53]”Letter to Daniel H. Wells from Brigham Young.” Milleniel Star XXVI, No. 38, September 1864, 601-602.  Prior to this, temple work had been done by tithes of time by wards and individual members. The contract to lay the stones for the basement was 20 cents per foot. At this point, 50 to 80 stonecutters were squaring and shaping stone directly on the temple grounds for the walls, and a much smaller crew of masons could easily keep up with placing the cut block on the walls. Work proceeded as fast as stone could be brought to the temple block.^[54]”Millenial Star,” 25 July 1863.

On 2 November a survey for the new Jordan River canal was completed and plans were made to start the new canal with the express purpose of moving stone for the temple. (It does not appear this canal was actually begun, however.)^[55]”Deseret Weekly News.” 2 November 1864 24 days later another public meeting was held by a private company, this time proposing 3 separate canals.^[56]”Brigham Young’s Letterbooks,” 7 January 1865

1865

By January of 1865 it was apparent that residents were against new canal plans, wanting to neither share the water nor a portion of the expenses through taxes. The state governor, Charles Durkee, sharing many concerns of the residents in addition to being concerned about monopolies and mis-management, vetoed the bill that would have allowed for the canal.^[57]”Letter from Charles Durkee to George Albert Smith, 15 January 1865.” Utah State Historical Society, Steel Kitchen Safe, Under Legislature, Via “History of the Salt Lake Temple,” William Alan Raynor.

On February 4 a new plan was put forward for a single canal 32.25 miles in length, the first 12 mile portion running from Little Cottonwood to Salt Lake City and built by the newly formed Deseret Irrigation and Navigation Canal Company. Most of the new canal would be funded by land sales, and taxes on benefited properties, rather than taxes on large sections of the county as a whole. The Canal was begun shortly afterward, with the hope that 4,000 tons of stone would be transported tot he temple along this canal annually.^[58]”Deseret News.” 18 December 1909.^[59]”Deseret Weekly News,” 15 February 1865^[60]”Deseret Weekly News,” 30 November 1864

1866

By May 27 the west end of the temple was nearing ground level, making the height of the walls down to the bottom of the foundation about 16 feet. ^[61]”Deseret News,” November 8, 1866.

Later in 1866 A finished road was pushed through from Little cottonwood canyon to Salt Lake by the New York and Utah Prospecting Company.^[62]W. Turrentine Jackson, “The Infamous Emma Mine: A British Interest in the Little Cottonwood District, Utah Territory,” Utah Historical Quarterly XXIII, 340.

1867

Fourteen years after the groundbreaking the walls of the temple finally rise above ground level.

1868

Heber C. Kimball prophesies before his death on 22 June that

“when the walls reached the square, the powers of evil would rage and the Saints would suffer persecution.” ^[63]Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967), 397.

Note: to reach the square in this instance refers to reaching the highest point of the non-tower portion of the temple.

1869

The transcontinental railroad is completed on the 10 of May with the driving of the gold spike at Promontory summit Utah, 32 miles west-northwest of Brigham City. One week after the completion of the railroad thoughts turned to completing a line down the Wasatch front into Utah Valley. A rail line was begun on 17 May heading south from Ogden towards Salt Lake.^[64]Milton R. Hunter, “Utah, the Story of Her People,” Salt Lake City: Deseret News PRess, 1946, p. 196.

1870

By January 5 the Deseret Canal was nearing completion and there was hope that it would be open by the following spring.^[65]”Deseret Weekly News,” 5 January 1870. However, the rail was also pushing its way through to Salt Lake and the line from Ogden to Salt Lake was completed just days later on10 January.^[66]Milton R. Hunter, “Utah, the Story of Her People,” Salt Lake City: Deseret News PRess, 1946, p. 196. Also at This time mines in the Alt area above the Little Cottonwood granite quarry were begining to pay off and the Mining companies began raising money for a good double track rail from the the mouth of Canyon to the Alta Mine area.^[67]”Salt Lake Tribune,” 20 May 1872.

On February 15 the Utah Southern Railroad was incorporated^[68]Milton R. Hunter, “Utah, the Story of Her People,” Salt Lake City: Deseret News PRess, 1946, p. 196.and within a year granted right of way to construct a line through to Payson Utah, with a branch line to the mouths of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.^[69]”Deseret Weekly News,” 1 March 1871. This announcement effectively ended any plans for a Canal to ferry stone for the temple, or any plans to use canals for any purpose other than irrigation within Utah.

Ground was broken for the first Utah Southern Rail extension on 1 May. By August the first 20 miles were graded.^[70]”Deseret Weekly News.” 2 August 1871. The track was laid and completed as far south as Sandy Utah 23 September 1871.^[71]Andrew Jenson, “Encyclopedic History of the Church,” Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News PRess, 1941, p. 907. Stone was carried by oxcart to the Sandy Station at this point, and then carried by rail to downtown, where it would then be oxcarted up to the temple block half a mile away.

1871

31 January Brigham Young announces the St. George Temple. Ground is Broken for the St. George Temple on 9 November 1871 by George Albert Smith.

1872

Brigham Young and others organized the Salt Lake City Railroad Company on 19 January. The purpose of this company was to construct and manage rail lines from the Utah Central depot in Salt Lake to the temple block, a distance of one half a mile. The first section of track was completed and tested by coasting a single car down South Temple street in June of the same year.^[72]”Bulletin, Utah Power and Light Company,” II  (April 1917). 32.

July 9 marked the start of a spur from South Temple into the Temple block enclosure so that stone could be delivered directly to the masons.^[73]”Salt Lake Tribune.” 9 July 1872

The first stone delivered via the rail arrived in the temple enclosure on 31 July, pulled on rail cart by 2 oxen.^[74]Deseret News, 27 August 1872

Permission was granted for a heavier rail line to be buil along the round on 13 August.^[75]”Deseret News,” 14 August 1872. The new line had thicker rails, and when completed on 21 August it allowed the stone to be moved by locomotive rather than oxcart.^[76]”Deseret News,” 21 August 1872. This rail spur would be used to haul all the remaining Granite to Temple square till the completion of the temple.

As the Utah Southern Railroad was focusing primarily on the push to Payson, a new corporation, the Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad was incorporated on 14 October. The largest portion of stock in this company was held by the Cottonwood Mining Companies, a result of the previous years fund raising efforts.^[77]”Salt Lake Tribune,” 6 January 1873. This corporation was able to break ground n 4 November for a new line of narrower gauge track from the Sandy Station.^[78]”Deseret News Weekly,” 18 November 1872.

1873

The first temple stone road the completed rail line on 4 April 1873. Brigham Young traveled to the quarry by train on a flat car up to the Cottonwood Quarry and accompanied the stone back to celebrate the event. The train left the quarry at 4PM, switched trains at the Sandy Station and arrived in Salt Lake at 5:15, just one hour and fifteen minutes later, compared to the 4 days that the ox carts had been taking to complete the trip.^[79]”Deseret News Weekly,” 16 April 1873. In the first year of operation, the train would ship 8,706,000 pounds of stone from the quarry to Salt Lake.^[80]Edward L. Sloan, “Gazetteer of Utah and Salt Lake City Directory 1874,” Salt Lake City: Salt Lake Herald Publishing Company, 1875, p. 47.

13 September marked the completion of 4 large derricks (Platforms with attached cranes) Initially placed outside of the temple, these cranes would be used to lift stones up onto the rising walls, each derrick covering 1/4th of the whole temple.^[81]”Deseret Evening News,” 16 August 1873.

1875

The Manti Temple is announced 25 June by Brigham Young.

The walls of the Salt Lake Temple reach nearly 18 feet in height.

1876

During 1876 five large sheds were built between the south wall of Temple Square and the railroad spur on the block. These open wall sheds protected the stone-cutters from inclement weather.finished stones were stacked according to placement on the temple, while the granite chips were raked up and utilized for projects like paving the city streets.^[82]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017

By September of 1876 the four construction derricks had been moved inside the walls of the temple near the corner towers, allowing it to better reach the areas it was responsible for. Additionally an 8 horsepower steam engine had replaced the hand cranking mechanism that turned the spools on the cranes, and lifting of the blocks proceeded at 3 times the original speed.^[83]”Historian’s  Office Journal,” 16 August 1876. There was at this time only one steam engine hoisting apparatus, and it would be attached to one of the four derricks at a time while that derricks cranes laid 5 courses (rows) of stone, each just under 14 inches in height, on the temple section it covered. It would then be removed and attached to one of the other four derricks,^[84]”Deseret Evening News,” 5 September 1876 as in the following example:

• 13 July, engine moved from northeast corner to northwest corner.^[85]”Deseret Evening News,” 13 July 1877
• 17 August, 5 courses completed at northwest corner, engine moved from northwest corner to southeast corner, to lay 5 courses on southeast corner.^[86]”Deseret Evening News,” 17 August 1877
• 27 September, 5 courses completed at southeast corner, engine moved from southeast corner to southwest corner.^[87]”Manuscript History of Brigham Young,” p.3219

In this manner, 5 courses could be completed around the whole temple about once every 4 months barring any other issues blocking construction.

On 30 September The walls reached nearly 24 feet in height.^[88]”Deseret Evening News,” 30 September 1876.

1877

Ground is broken for the Manti Temple 25 April by Brigham Young.

On 17 May The Logan Temple is announced by Brigham Young and ground is broken the same day by John W. Young. The Site was then dedicated by Daniel H. Wells.

The St. George Temple is dedicated 4 June – 4 August by Daniel H. Wells.

Brigham Young dies on 29 August 1877.

1879

Walls of the temple are now 45 feet in height.

1880

On 10 October 10 John Taylor was sustained as the third president of the Church

1883

Walls of the temple reach 85 feet.

1884

The Logan Temple is dedicated 17-19 May by John Taylor.

1885

Around October the lifting engine from the recently completed Logan Temple is brought in. Rather than sharing one engine amongst all 4 derricks, one engine is shared by the east pair and one engine is shared by the west pair. ^[89]”Deseret Evening News,” 31 October 1885

1886

The Battlements are placed on the temple, and the buttresses are topped out.

Truman Angel dies from dropsy on 16 October.

1887

The Edmunds-Tucker act amended the Morrill law of 1862 on 19 February. This act dissolved the corporate charter of the LDS Church, re-affirmed abolishment of polygamy, confiscated all LDS Church property over $50,000 and turned it over to the Secretary of the Interior. In anticipation of the passage of this act, the Church had moved much of it’s property into privately held trusts and associations.^[90]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017

On 7 February Frank H. Dyer, US Marchall for Utah, was appointed receiver of Church Properties.^[91]Orson F. Whitney, “History of Utah,”  4 vols.’ Salt Lake City, Utah: George Q, Cannon & Sons C. 1898, v. III, p. 588-589. Church properties were turned over to Dyer upon request, including the Temple block, and were then rented back to the Church. While some properties rented for more than $500, the Temple Block was rented for $1 monthly.

John Taylor died on 25 July 1887.

Fall of 1887 brought a halt to the temple work. All workers were discharged, partly as a consequence of the financial difficulties that resulted from the Governments actions.^[92]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017

1888

On 17 May the Manti Temple was dedicated by Lorenzo Snow.

The Church sought for confirmation of title for all properties and buildings surrendered from the Utah Supreme court, but all cliams were denied with the exception of the temple block, which was released on condition it be used exclusively for religious purposes.^[93]”Deseret Evening News,” 9 October 1888.

1889

Willford Woodruf was sustained as the fourth President of the Church on 7 April 1889.

On 2 November Deseret News Reports a new crane system for hauling stones into place. In the new system a track made of a pair of I-beams allows 2 cranes capable of holding 2 tons each to move back and forth along the east /west length of the temple, placing block anywhere along its length.^[94]”Deseret News Weekly,” 2 November 1889

At the end of the annual construction season, 2 November of 1889, the walls reached 160 ft above ground.

1890

In May the US Supreme court upheld the 1888 decision of the Utah Supreme court.^[95]Wallace Alan Raynor, “History of the Construction of the Salt Lake Temple” ScholarsArchive.BYU.edu, August 1961. Accessed 23 September 2017

25 September 1890 Brought the official declaration ending polygamy. It would be another 5 years before all properties were returned back to the Church.^[96]Doctrine and Covenants:OD1

1891

In the October Conference of 1891 a resolution was passed that the temple be completed and dedicated by the April Conference of 1893.^[97]Address by President Symour B. Young, Conference Report, April 3, 1893, p. 19.

1892

The capstone—the granite sphere that holds the statue of the Angel Moroni—was laid on 6 April 1892.^[98]“Temple capstone laid 100 years ago”, Church News, April 4, 1992, retrieved October 11, 2012

  60,000 people assembled around the temple, Instructions were given to the assembled and at 11:30 the Priesthood marched to a platform erected at the Southwest corner. A Band played a sont titled the “Capstone March,” followed by the “Temple Antehm by the Tabernacle Choir. President Joseph F. Smith offered a dedicatory prayer, and the choir sang “Grant Us Peace.” As noon arrived, President Wilford stepped to the platform and proclaimed:

“Attention all ye house of Isreal, and all ye nations of the Earth! We will now lay the top stone to the Temple of our God, the foundation of which was laid by the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Brigham Young.^[99]”Deseret Evening News,” 6 April 1892.

Then with the press of a button, an electric motor lowered the capstone into place. 60,000 people then participated in the Hosanna shout, and the congregation sang “The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning.” The Union Glee Club then sang “The Temple Ode.”

Francis M. Lyman of the twelve Apostles then proposed that, believing the President’s council to be the word of the lord, the assemblage pledge themselves individually and collectively to finish the interior of the building within one year, thus allowing the temple to be dedicated forty years to the day of its commencement. The Tabernacle Choir then sang “Song of the Redeemed.” and George Q. Cannon gave the Benediction.

The angel Moroni Statue was placed on the top of the capstone after the ceremonies, and was unveiled at 3:10 PM.^[100]”Deseret Evening News,” 6 April 1892.

On 1 May work commenced on the Temple annex, 100 feet north of the temple. The annex was finished in oolite limestone like the Manti Temple and was designed by Don Carlos Young.^[101]”The Contributor,” p. 282-283.

During the following year, every effort was made to obtain the materials needed to finish the temple. A steam boiler plant was constructed north of the temple and steam was fed to 4 generators underground and west of the temple which provided enough power to light not just the temple, but planned electric lighting at the Tabernacle and the Assembly Hall as well.

1893

The Temple and the Annex were finished on 5 April 1893.

Announcement

Before his announcement of twelve new temples to be constructed across the globe, President Russell M. Nelson announced that plans were underway to renovate and update the temples of the pioneer generation, including the historic Salt Lake Temple. The dates and details of those projects were announced later.

Commencement

The renovation of the Salt Lake Temple commenced 29 December 2019.

7 October 2018

Before his announcement of twelve new temples to be constructed across the globe, President Russell M. Nelson announced that plans were underway to renovate and update the temples of the pioneer generation including the historic Salt Lake Temple. The dates and details of those projects will be announced as they are developed.

7 April 2019

During the Sunday afternoon’s final session of the 189th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson announced that the renovations were to start soon at Salt Lake and St. George Utah. During the announcement, he said that details on the Salt Lake Renovation would be announced on 19 April.

19 April 2019

At a news conference held on 19 April 2019^[113]”Plans Unveiled for Salt Lake Temple Renovation,” Newsroom, 19 April 2019, President Nelson announced that the Salt Lake Temple would close on 29 December 2019, for approximately four years of renovation and restoration including improvements to the surrounding grounds and facilities. The temple is expected to reopen in 2024 when guests will be invited to tour the interior of the iconic building during a public open house. Highlights of the project include the following:

• Structural reinforcements to the walls and roof of the temple will work in conjunction with a base isolation system installed under the massive foundation to mitigate the impact of seismic activity.
• Modern mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will replace the aging and outdated equipment located throughout the temple.
• The historic interior of the temple will be restored and refreshed, returning to a Victorian-inspired palette of dark woods, rich colors, and patterned fabrics.
• Portions of the solid wall that currently surround Temple Square will be replaced with decorative fences, providing much better views and access to the temple from the north and south.
• The South Visitors’ Center will be demolished and replaced with two smaller visitor pavilions that will not obstruct views of the temple from the south.
• The existing annex and sealing room addition on the north side of the temple, built in the 1960s, will also be demolished and replaced. Two smaller patron pavilions will replace the annex, and the sealing room addition will be rebuilt slightly wider and more true to the design of the exterior wall that it extends.
• The recommend desk will be located underground, featuring expansive skylights with generous views of the temple above. This area will be accessible from the patron pavilions through a grand hall or by way of a patron tunnel from the Conference Center parking facility.
• The plaza and landscaping south of the Church Office Building will be repaired and renovated with greater emphasis on the Savior and on improving the visitor experience.
• Both live and film presentation of the endowment ceremony will be available when the temple reopens, with sessions available in 86 languages.

4 December 2019

Members of the media were briefed today about preparations underway for the pending renovation of the Salt Lake Temple, which closes on December 29, 2019. Four interior renderings of the project were released in conjunction with the event. During the initial phase of construction, crews will secure the construction area with a fence, and by mid-January, the South Visitors’ Center and portions of the wall surrounding Temple Square will be demolished. In the spring, the temple’s north addition will come down. Renovation of the Church Office Building plaza is anticipated to begin in late 2020. Temple Square will remain open during the renovation with the Conference Center becoming the primary venue for the guest experience including views of the construction from the balcony and roof levels. The annual Christmas lights will continue but on a smaller scale.

29 December 2019

The Salt Lake Temple officially closed for renovation today, and evidence of construction activity could appear as early as this Thursday—the day after New Year’s Day. The temple has been packed with couples desiring to be sealed in the temple and patrons wanting to see the interior of the ordinance rooms one last time before the four-year closure. It is anticipated that the South Visitor’s Center and portions of the Temple Square wall will be demolished by mid-January.

3 January 2020

Construction activity is already underway at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, just days after the closure of the Salt Lake Temple on Sunday. The gate and a portion of the ornamental fencing along the south side of the block have come down, and chain-link fencing is going up to mark the area of construction. The short wrought-iron fence between the temple and South Visitors’ Center has been removed, and the concrete surrounding the visitors’ center is being crushed and removed in preparation for demolishing the building.

24 January 2020

By the end of the week, little was left standing of the South Visitors’ Center on Temple Square. Much of the rubble was moved into the basement to be used as a ramp, and just a few pieces of wall remained. The chain-link barrier that sectioned off the construction area is being replaced with a wooden barrier. All the landscaping on the south side of the temple is being cleared away, and preparations have begun for excavating along the deep foundation stones of the Salt Lake Temple.

19 February 2020

Two construction entrances have been created on the south wall of the Salt Lake Temple, connected by a tower of scaffolding. On the south lawn, much of the rubble produced by demolition activities has been removed. The basement of the South Visitors’ Center is being extracted while demolition continues on portions of the wall surrounding Temple Square. A temporary structure is being built along the east side of Temple Square on the Main Street Plaza.

4 March 2020

The grounds on the south side of the Salt Lake Temple are looking unusually barren with the absence of familiar structures that have stood on the site for decades. Excavation is deepening around the temple foundation while construction activities continue inside the edifice. Glass windows are being replaced with temporary construction windows made of heavy mil plastic. Access scaffolding has been removed from the south wall, and the majority of the South Visitors’ Center basement has been hauled away.

18 March 2020 Earthquake

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit a fault in the Magna area, west of Salt Lake at 7:09 AM on 18 March 2020. The earthquake did damage to structures throughout the valley, especially on the north end. The earthquake caused the Moroni Statue atop the Salt Lake Temple to lose grip on the Trumpet, which crashed into the parapets below, and appears to have badly mangled.

Just a few weeks previous, monitoring targets had been placed on the Salt Lake Temple as part of the renovation. These small targets are measured periodically be a laser, and allowed the Renovation crew to determine that no significant damage had been done to the bulk of the structure. However, many of the stones on the spires and pinnacles had come lose. The decision was made to remove those portions of the temple exterior immediately, rather than waiting to do so later in the renovation as had been initially planed.

2 April 2020

A crane has been installed on the south side of the Salt Lake Temple to carry out the removal of spire stones that were damaged during the recent earthquake that affected Salt Lake City. The angel Moroni statue and other stones from the east and west sides of the temple will also be temporarily removed for preservation during the project. Scaffolding will be erected around the spires to provide better access to the construction crew.

10 April 2020

For the past few days, crews have lifted several spire stones off the Salt Lake Temple with the help of a large crane. The now-trumpetless angel Moroni statue will also come down. Just five days ago, President Nelson stood in an auditorium near the temple and invited people of all faiths and beliefs to join in a global fast today, Good Friday, for COVID-19 relief.

5 May 2020

The careful work of removing the granite finials from the spires of the Salt Lake Temple has made excellent progress. Refurbishment of the stones was anticipated to occur later in the renovation, but following seismic activity in the Salt Lake Valley that started in March, the spires were addressed immediately. Scaffolding has been installed around the base of the tower that supports the angel Moroni. Demolition of the annex roof, bridal party exit, and additional portions of the Temple Square wall has also begun.

18 May 2020

As part of the stone removal, the trumpet-less Angel Moroni Statue was removed for renovation on 18 May of 2020. This is the first time that the statue has been off the temple since it was placed there 128 years, one month, and 12 days earlier. The statue was removed along with both halves of the cap-stone for the largest spire, the top half of which it is bolted to.^[114]”Angel Moroni Statue and Capstone Removed from the Salt Lake Temple,” Newsroom, 18 May 2020

8 June 2020

Crews continue to stabilize the foundation of the Salt Lake Temple as the massive structure is prepared for a base isolation system that will provide significant protection against seismic events. Demolition is underway on the annex north of the temple and on portions of the historic wall surrounding Temple Square. Over the last couple of months, several spire stones and the angel Moroni statue have been removed from the top of the temple.

17 June 2020

As demolition continues on the Salt Lake Temple annex, crews have now begun to raze the sealing room addition on the north wall of the temple. The current annex and the sealing room wing were both constructed in the 1960s. The annex will be replaced with two patron pavilions and an underground recommend desk area with a large skylight. The sealing room extension will be rebuilt slightly wider than before and more true to the original exterior of the temple. Renovation has been underway for almost six months.

30 June 2020

Final Wall of the Annex come down. The substructure of the facility has been dismantled and the majority of the superstructure has been demolished. Demolition also continues on the sealing wing annex, starting with removing the roof and disconnecting the interior from the historic side of the temple. Shoring work has been carried out along North Temple Street to prepare for the deep excavation coming to the north side of the temple where the former annex stood.

12 July 2020

After more than five decades of use, th e North Sealing Wing has been fully removed. That addition will eventually be rebuilt, larger, but only after a base isolation system is installed under the massive stone foundation of the temple to mitigate the effects of seismic activity. Over the past several months, landscaping has been removed and shoring activities have been underway to prepare for installation of the system. Demolition continues on the annex.

29 July 2020

Two days after the removal of the capstone from the Salt Lake Temple, the First Presidency witnessed the opening of the time capsule on May 20, 2020, from the loading dock of the Church History Library. Since then, conservation experts have carefully catalogued the capsule’s severely water-damaged contents. “We did not expect to find much because we knew that the contents of the capstone had not been insulated from the weather during the 128 years that had elapsed,” said President Russell M. Nelson. “But we wanted to be there anyway, just to be close and to pay tribute to the leaders and courageous pioneer craftsman who against all odds built this magnificent temple.”

5 September 2020

The work of strengthening the foundation of the Salt Lake Temple will continue through the end of the year. The process involves drilling deep 3-inch holes into the exposed foundation and footings and filling them with a high-strength grout that fills both the drilled hole and any intersecting voids and joints. On the south side of the temple, work has begun on building the secant (retaining) wall that will surround the entire building and contain the soil under the foundation in preparation for the deep excavations that will be necessary to install the base isolation system. The majority of the debris has been cleared from the north side of the temple where the sealing room wing and annex were demolished.

11 November 2020

On the south side of the Salt Lake Temple, a 250-foot tower crane has been installed that will initially assist in assembling scaffolding for carrying out stone repair and roof replacement. Deep excavation, shoring, and lagging continues on the north side, which is being prepared for a secant wall that will extend to the east side for the purpose of containing soil under the foundation during the deep-excavation phase. The 1960s foundation created for the sealing wing is being dismantled while the original foundation is being strengthened through tension rod coring—a process of drilling into the footings, inserting threaded rods into grout, and tensioning those rods to create pressure against the stones, thus consolidating them.

11 December 2020

It’s been over 11 months since renovation began on the Salt Lake Temple, and the exciting developments continue. Shoring beams were recently installed under the temple’s historic southeast steps and in the Conference Center garage where a tunnel will be created between the parking garage and the temple entrance. Lagging and excavation continue on the north side where new facilities—both under and above ground—will be constructed. On the west side, a concrete overlay is being removed from the foundation so that consolidation and strengthening of the original foundation may proceed. Scaffolding is going up on the south side to provide floor access and for upcoming stone refurbishment and repair.

11 January 2021

A construction fence has been installed around the plaza in front of the 28-story Church Office Building at Temple Square in preparation for a grounds renovation that will place greater emphasis on the international presence of the Church and improve the visitor experience. The Salt Lake Temple, located west of the Church Office Building, has been under renovation for just over a year. In that time, the South Visitors’ Center, sealing room addition, and north annex buildings have all been demolished. The tower finials, capstone, and angel Moroni statue have been temporarily removed while shoring progresses on all sides of the temple to prepare for deep excavation. The stone foundation footings have been strengthened and consolidated.

5 February 2021

Stones are coming down from the parapet walls of the Salt Lake Temple with the help of a crane. The granite pieces are then labeled and placed in storage for cleaning and repair. The installation of shoring support continues for the subterranean tunnel that will connect the Conference Center parking facility to the underground entrance to the temple (not yet constructed). Shoring and excavation around the temple foundation has allowed for installation of a lift near the southwest corner that will carry workers and materials to the upper floors of the temple interior.

12 February 2021

Demolition of the Church Office Building plaza and fountain is making progress. Lamp posts have been unbolted and wrapped for storage while concrete walkways and pavers are being lifted and removed. Support structures have been added throughout the underground parking facility to shore up the structure while demolition of the fountain and garden areas progress above.

12 March 2021

The First Presidency has announced significant alterations to the original plans for the interior of the Salt Lake Temple. The capacity of the temple will be increased through the addition of two instruction rooms, more sealing rooms, and a second baptistry. The live-acting, progressive presentation of the endowment from room to room will be replaced by video presentation in single rooms. The cafeteria will also be removed from the temple to accommodate other facilities that will support the increased capacity. The historic murals of the temple have been carefully photographed and removed but will not return.

25 March 2021

On the north side of the Salt Lake Temple, the round opening can be seen for the tunnel that will connect the below-ground temple entrance to the Conference Center parking garage. In front of the opening is a square-shaped excavation for the base of another tower crane. On the east side, demolition continues at the Church Office Building plaza where conveyor belts have been lined up to carry debris to an awaiting excavator and dump truck. Replacement of the temple roof with a temporary roof is about halfway finished.

17 April 2021

Excavation for the tunnel underneath North Temple that will connect the Salt Lake Temple entrance to the Conference Center parking structure is about 80 percent complete. Steel arches and sprayed concrete provide temporary support while the earth is removed. A secant wall has been built around three sides of the temple, which will support the foundation during the deep excavations that will be required for installation of the base isolation system. The copper roof has been replaced with a temporary roof until additional steel trusses can be installed. Stones continue to be removed from the top of the temple. After cleaning and repair, they will be returned to the exact same locations.

6 May 2021

Excavation has been completed for the new 180-foot (55-meter) tunnel underneath North Temple street that will connect the Conference Center parking structure to the yet-to-be-built underground entrance to the Salt Lake Temple. Removal of the concrete wall at the Conference Center end of the tunnel will be done later. The temporary removal of stones from the top of the temple exterior walls for cleaning and repair continues. Demolition of the Church Office Building plaza and fountain is making good progress.

10 June 2021

The North Visitors’ Center on Temple Square will be demolished and replaced with an open garden and contemplation space by 2023 as part of the ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square. Constructed in 1963, the visitors’ center features a stunning rotunda with an 11-foot replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus as the focal point. The statue will be carefully removed from the facility this summer for preservation and reinstalled on Temple Square at the conclusion of the renovation. Removal of the building will provide a peaceful, quiet space on Temple Square and clearer views of the temple, enhancing its prominence.

25 June 2021

The existing steel trusses that frame the roof of the Salt Lake Temple are being sistered with new trusses as part of the design to strengthen the building against seismic activity. The 88-foot trusses weigh about 35,000 pounds each and are secured to the existing trusses with cross bracing. The buttressed secant wall that was built around the foundation is gradually being exposed in preparation for the deeper excavations needed for the three floors of underground facilities including the baptismal fonts, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, administrative offices and so forth. The fountain on the Church Office Building plaza has now been entirely removed.

3 July 2021

With the demolition of the Church Office Building plaza complete, new landscape structures are being formed and poured at the east end while waterproofing continues on the roof of the employee parking garage that sits below the plaza. The renovated space will replace the former water fountain feature with an inviting east entrance, plentiful gardens, and a concentric oval plaza surrounded by flags of the nations of the world.

16 July 2021

Dismantling of the North Visitors’ Center on Temple Square is moving forward. It was announced last month that the center would be replaced with gardens. The iconic Christus statue that stood in the center’s rotunda has been removed for storage until its return to Temple Square at the end of the renovation. On the north side of the temple, deeper excavations are underway for the three-level underground addition that will house maintenance facilities, two baptistries, dressing rooms, sealing rooms, and administrative offices. Secant walls are holding the existing temple foundation in place, which will be encased in a new foundation beginning next month in preparation for the base isolators that will be installed underneath. Stones continues to be removed from the top of the temple for restoration. At the Church Office Building plaza, concrete is being removed and repaired.

19 August 2021

On the north side of the Salt Lake Temple, excavation has reached a depth of 45 feet below street level. Construction will begin on a three-level underground addition (housing baptismal fonts, sealing rooms, dressing rooms, office space, and more) once a target depth of 65 feet has been reached. The foundation is held in place by a secant wall, comprised of interlocking concrete and steel columns. The concrete slab for a second tower crane was poured in early August on the north side. At the Church Office Building plaza, crews are repairing water-damaged concrete and pouring new landscape structures on the east end.

28 September 2021

The jack-and-bore process began in late August at the Salt Lake Temple where 92 steel pipes are being inserted beneath the foundations of the building as part of a major seismic strengthening project. The 40-foot-long pipes are 3.5 to 4 feet in diameter and will be filled with reinforcing steel bar, post-tensioning strands, and high-strength concrete. The gaps between the pipes and foundation will be filled with grout. While excavation for the underground addition on the north side continues, more trusses are being installed on the roof with three of eight bays now completed.

28 October 2021

A new concrete elliptical structure is being formed in the Church Office Building plaza, which will support numerous flag poles for displaying country flags. Excavation for the three-level underground addition on the north side of the temple is nearly completed and will be followed by the pouring of a concrete floor slab. The jack-and-bore process is strengthening the foundation while walers (bracing beams) have been installed to shore up the secant walls that are holding the foundation in place. Roof truss installation continues as does finial and stone removal. These stones will be cleaned, stored, and brought back later in the project.

12 November 2021

Demolition is underway on the North Visitors’ Center at the Salt Lake Temple. The center was constructed in 1963 to welcome visitors to Temple Square—the city’s most visited attraction. The crowning feature of the facility was a glass rotunda that housed a replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue. The building will be replaced with open gardens and contemplation spaces. The Christus statue will be reinstalled on Temple Square toward the end of the renovation project.

24 November 2021

As excavation for the three-level underground addition to the Salt Lake Temple nears completion, crews have poured a staging slab that will provide a level working surface for pouring the foundation. The addition will house two baptistries, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, and administrative offices. Demolition of the North Visitors’ Center continues, which began the second week of November. It will be replaced with contemplation gardens and restrooms. Seismic strengthening of the temple foundation continues by way of the jack-and-bore process that positions pipes under the footings and fills them with reinforcing steel and concrete. A precision drilling machine is being prepared on the roof of the temple to vertically drill into the tower and wall columns where post-tension cables will be thread and anchored into the foundation below. At the Church Office Building plaza, footings and flag pole inserts are being installed for a display of the nations of the world.

9 December 2021

Only the substructure remains of the North Visitors’ Center on Temple Square where a massive renovation and seismic upgrade is underway for the Salt Lake Temple. The removal of this guest facility has opened up views of the temple from North Temple and West Temple (streets), just as demolition of the South Visitors’ Center did from South Temple (street). Portions of the Temple Square wall have also been removed for better views and access to this historic center of Salt Lake City.

13 December 2021

The First Presidency has released a statement on the new estimated completion date for the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple: “The seismic strengthening of the Salt Lake Temple and the extensive remodel of the Temple and surrounding area are sacred and significant undertakings. As the project has progressed, we have learned a great deal about the condition of the temple and its surroundings. The work is truly remarkable and is being guided by the First Presidency. Inspired modifications and additions to the project and scope have been made so the temple and Temple Square can serve many generations yet to come. It is anticipated that the temple and its surroundings will be completed in 2025. We look forward to welcoming the world at that time to visit, tour and learn about this sacred temple and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

3 February 2022

White Styrofoam blocks are appearing in specific formations across the concrete deck of the Church Office Building plaza that will reduce the weight placed on the parking structure below. Damaged concrete is being removed and replaced with soil that is tamped down ahead of new concrete pours. The North Visitors’ Center has been demolished, and the final debris and remnants of the basement are being removed and sorted for recycling. Excavation is underway for a staging pad under the east towers of the Salt Lake Temple, and crews are preparing for the massive concrete pours for the foundation of the three-level underground addition on the north side of the temple.

25 March 2022

On April 11, 2022, the Main Street Plaza that lies east of the Salt Lake Temple will close for renovation and landscaping until late 2023. The renovation includes inspection and repair of the plaza deck, refurbishment of the entry water features, replacement of the reflection pool with a larger one, and new landscaping to better integrate the temple grounds and the Church Office Building plaza. The latest renderings of Temple Square have been released to the public. Concrete pours continue for the north addition to the temple, and the area where the North Visitors’ Center stood is being built up to ground level.

26 April 2022

The Main Street Plaza in Salt Lake City closed to the public on Monday, April 11, as part of an ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and the buildings and grounds on Temple Square. A protective wall has been built around the Brigham Young Monument while heavy equipment removes the vegetation and hardscaping around it. The plaza is expected to be closed until late 2023. Improvements include updates to the waterproofing system, refurbishment of the north and south entry fountains, installation of a larger reflecting pool, and new landscaping that harmonizes the Church Office Building plaza with the Salt Lake Temple grounds.

13 May 2022

A view of the Main Street Plaza on Temple Square, taken from the top of the Salt Lake Temple, shows the remnants the oval walls of the reflecting pool. Plans calls for a larger replacement pool. On the left side of the photograph is the Relief Society Building and water fountain feature. In the center rear is the Church Office Building plaza where crews are installing conduit for heated sidewalks and walls are being faced in stone. Excavation for the new visitors’ center buildings continues on the south side of the temple while construction begins on the second floor of a three-story underground addition on the north side that will house two baptistries, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, administrative offices, and other spaces.

27 May 2022

Looking west from North State Street in Salt Lake City provides a stunning view of the Church Office Building plaza and surrounding buildings including the Church Administration Building (left), Joseph Smith Memorial Building (center left), Salt Lake Temple (center), and Church Office Building (right). Young trees are being planted in garden spaces on the plaza and geofoam blocks are being used as spacers between the plaza floor and the underground parking ceiling deck. Renovation of the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square is not expected to be completed until 2025 or later.

12 June 2022

Two heavily reinforced openings can been seen on the north side of the Salt Lake Temple foundation, which are playing key roles in the seismic strengthening of the historic building. Plans call for the placement of hundreds of base isolators under the granite footings to mitigate the effect of earthquake activity. The temple is estimated to weigh 187 million pounds (85 million kilograms). Construction also continues on the nearly 300,000-square-foot underground addition that will house the two baptistries, additional sealing rooms, dressing rooms, administrative offices, and so forth. Overhead views of the addition show the structural interior walls.

26 July 2022

With so much construction activity taking place both under and around the Salt Lake Temple, hundreds of monitoring devices have been installed on the interior and exterior of the structure to measure any ground and building movement. These highly sensitive devices can detect a shift of even two millimeters. More devices will be installed as needed over the coming months to help ensure the stability of the historic temple.

Oval-shaped forms have been set for the baptismal fonts that will sit on the east and west ends of the underground addition on the north side of the Salt Lake Temple. Construction of the addition began nine months ago following a massive excavation. On the south side, excavation for the new visitors’ center has been completed, and work on the substructure has begun. At the Church Office Building plaza, workers are installing planters and an elaborate snow-melt system for the concrete walkways.

24 August 2022

Oval-shaped forms have been set for the baptismal fonts that will sit on the east and west ends of the underground addition on the north side of the Salt Lake Temple. Construction of the addition began nine months ago following a massive excavation. On the south side, excavation for the new visitors’ center has been completed, and work on the substructure has begun. At the Church Office Building plaza, workers are installing planters and an elaborate snow-melt system for the concrete walkways.

27 September 2022

Crews have begun to build the new guest building on the south end of Temple Square where the South Visitors’ Center once stood. The multi-level building will feature two above-ground pavilions with direct views of the Salt Lake Temple and an expansive underground exhibit hall. The pavilions will house an updated cut-away model of the temple and a statue of Jesus Christ. The exhibit hall will include an open house experience with replicas of the baptismal font and the instruction, sealing, and celestial rooms. The new guest experience will open to the public when the temple renovation is completed in 2025.

2 November 2022

At the northwest corner of Temple Square, installation of the concrete planters along West Temple (Street) has been completed, and construction of a new restroom facility is advancing. It sits north of the tabernacle, abutting the underground choir changing rooms. This section of Temple Square will be dedicated to gardens and contemplation spaces. Crews are forming the third floor of the north addition to the Salt Lake Temple while foundation reinforcements continue. New hardscape is being installed for the Main Street Plaza, and landscapers are laying irrigation lines and planting foliage in the garden spaces of the Church Office Building plaza. Construction continues on the guest building south of the temple.

3 December 2022

Even the tower cranes are joining the Christmas festivities on Temple Square this year. Due to the ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple, the yearly Christmas lights have been downsized to about 30 percent of the area normally used, but it remains a popular activity in the valley. A team of 35 gardeners begin hanging the Christmas lights in August so that the dazzling display is ready to be lit after Thanksgiving. The purpose of the lights is to place focus on Jesus Christ during the Christmas season.

7 January 2023

One of the more inconspicuous projects at the Salt Lake Temple is the drilling of vertical shafts for cables that will tie into the horizontal base isolaters beneath the stone foundation. Because of the high degree of accuracy required for these shafts, a single shaft can take as long as two months to drill. Elsewhere on site, forming is underway for the top level of the north underground addition, hardscaping of the Main Street Plaza is moving forward, and lighting is being installed on the Church Office Building plaza.

25 January 2023

An update from Church headquarters on the Salt Lake Temple renovation gives us an idea of what to expect in 2023. Renovations will commence on the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Beehive House, and Lion House. Installation of the base isolator system, post-tension cables, and steel frames for the spires will also begin. Construction will continue on the guest experience pavilions south of the temple. Completion of the restroom facility and contemplation gardens is expected in early fall while completion of the Church Office Building plaza and Main Street Plaza is expected in late fall. Structural work will wrap up on the three-story underground addition, and finish work will begin.

2 March 2023

With all the pipe beams in place under the existing foundations of the Salt Lake Temple, crews are excavating even deeper in preparation for new foundations. Excavation will reach a depth of 35 feet (10.6 meters) below the base of the temple superstructure. Base isolators will sit between the new foundation and the reinforced historic foundation to protect the temple from earthquake damage. Elsewhere on Temple Square, construction continues on the three-story underground addition north of the temple, the guest experience pavilions south of the temple, and the restroom facility north of the tabernacle. The Main Street Plaza is taking shape while landscaping efforts continue on the Church Office Building plaza.

23 March 2023

A new estimate of 2026 has been released for completion of the Salt Lake Temple renovation. On March 7, crews poured the concrete footing for the first base isolator, which is anticipated to be inserted under the temple next month. Concrete slabs surround the excavated foundation to provide a level working surface for crews who are assembling steel cages for the reinforced footings that will be installed there. Base isolators will sit on these new footings. The new facilities and landscaping underway at the northwest corner of Temple Square are expected to be completed this fall. Work will then move to the southwest corner where the Assembly Hall stands. The Lion House is scheduled to close for renovation the weekend after general conference on April 8, 2023.

19 May 2023

Crews are building templates for the base isolators that will sit between the existing foundation of the Salt Lake Temple and the new lower foundation that is being installed. A total of 98 base isolators will be used, acting like shock absorbers that will help isolate the temple from any seismic activity. Construction recently reached the halfway point and is currently projected to be completed in 2026.

16 May 2023

The first base isolator has been placed at the Salt Lake Temple as part of a massive seismic retrofit of the historic structure. Each isolator weighs 18,000 pounds (8,165 kilograms), measures 7 feet (2 meters) across, and accommodates up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) of horizontal movement in any direction. Placement of the 98 base isolators on top of the new lower foundation is anticipated to take about a year and a half.