Church of Jesus Christ releases interior renderings of Salt Lake Temple renovations

SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released caller specifications astir nan renewal of nan Salt Lake Temple, saying nan building honors its pioneer past while providing a abstraction for members successful nan early to worship.

The renovated temple will person 2 baptistries alternatively of one, and 22 sealing rooms, which are utilized for marriages, alternatively of 13. Instruction rooms will person added seating to accommodate much members astatine once.

The temple was closed astatine nan extremity of 2019 for renovations to amended its expertise to past earthquakes, and to amended capacity and accessibility. The latest estimate was that it would unfastened again successful 2026.

In a 2019 property convention astir plans for nan temple, President Russell M. Nelson said nan renewal “will stress and item nan life, ministry and ngo of Jesus Christ successful his desire to bless each nation, kindred, lingua and people.”

Efforts to reflector nan original Salt Lake Temple

Some of nan renovations see removing aspects of nan temple that were added successful different renovations, including an extended renewal successful nan 1960s erstwhile immoderate historical elements were painted complete aliases removed, and replacing those areas pinch designs matching nan 1893 temple.

Bill Williams, nan church’s head of architecture, said nan temple will consciousness “more accordant and much for illustration nan original Salt Lake Temple from opening to end.”

He said it will look for illustration nan original temple arsenic members participate nan pavilion, which was not nan lawsuit pursuing different renovations.

Historic investigation has helped bring backmost designs successful nan original temple that will beryllium incorporated passim nan paint, trim and carpeting.

A rendering of nan caller expansive hallway astatine nan Salt Lake Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Other portions of nan temple pinch historical and belief value are being preserved, including 2 original sealing rooms, nan celestial room, spiral staircases successful nan tower, nan fifth-floor assembly room, tand “most of nan terrestrial room.”

The original 12 cast-iron oxen from nan baptistry are being restored and will beryllium utilized successful 1 of nan 2 baptistries.

What elements will beryllium gone?

Some of nan bigger changes successful nan temple were made to fortify and reenforce nan building, this includes floorplan changes and removal of immoderate of nan historical interior — specifically nan staircase betwixt nan temple’s first and 2nd floors and immoderate walls made pinch unreinforced masonry.

Murals that were hand-painted connected plaster successful nan instruction rooms were not saved but were documented and preserved.

At immoderate point, religion members will beryllium capable to spot portions of nan murals, on pinch different historical aspects of nan temple that were removed, astatine nan Church History Library.

A rendering of a caller baptistry astatine nan Salt Lake Temple. The renovated temple will person 2 baptistries alternatively of one, some located successful nan northbound addition. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé said nan temple is simply a “living building” pinch a past and future.

“We person done everything imaginable to sphere this beatified edifice. I rejoice that this important renewal is creating spaces for early generations to person their ain ineffable experiences,” he said.

Increased capacity

When it reopens, nan temple will beryllium capable to accommodate much members astatine erstwhile pinch further rooms and space.

An underground summation adds 100,000 quadrate feet to nan temple and has a cardinal corridor to thief members much easy navigate nan temple.

Andy Kirby, head of nan church’s historical temple renovations, said infrastructure from nan 1960s renewal pinch debased ceilings and “confusing corridors” was removed.

“We want to create a positive, seamless acquisition for everyone who visits nan temple. … The caller cardinal corridor, pinch its skylight position of nan temple, makes it easier to find your way,” he said.

A rendering of nan introduction into nan Salt Lake Temple, pinch nan urge table and skylight. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

There will beryllium 5 instruction rooms and 1 veil room, each pinch accrued seating abstraction than nan temple had previously. The rooms will person audio and ocular systems that let instruction successful 90 different languages, akin to astir temples astir nan world.

New elevators, immoderate pinch higher capacity, person already been added to nan temple, and stairs and ramps betwixt instruction rooms were removed.

Members visiting nan Salt Lake Temple will besides use from caller heating, aerial conditioning, electrical and plumbing systems.