New Temple Square Visitors' Center opens in May; temple tour tickets available in September

The new center will feature immersive experiences, including full-scale replicas of sacred temple rooms.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:20pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a repeating pattern of a temple baptismal font in neon blue, pink, and yellow, conceptually representing the interactive and educational nature of the new Temple Square Visitors' Center.The new Temple Square Visitors' Center in Salt Lake City offers an immersive look into the sacred spaces of Latter-day Saint temples through full-scale replicas and interactive exhibits.Salt Lake City Today

A new Temple Square Visitors' Center in Salt Lake City is set to open to the public next month, featuring new immersive experiences like full-scale replicas of sacred temple rooms. The opening of the new center precedes the highly anticipated Salt Lake Temple Celebration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in less than a year, which will feature public tours of the historic temple for the first time since 1893. Reservations for those temple tours will be available beginning September 1, 2026.

Why it matters

The new visitors' center is designed to help people of all backgrounds better understand the role temples play in the Latter-day Saint faith and how their teachings connect to everyday life. It provides an opportunity for non-members to see inside a temple and gain greater context around Latter-day Saint beliefs and commitment to family and Christ.

The details

The 39,800-square-foot visitors' center will open on May 18, 2026 and will be centered on Jesus Christ. It will feature full-scale replicas of temple rooms like a baptistry, instruction room, sealing room, and celestial room. A new marble sculpture by Swiss artist Christian Bolt, titled 'Come Unto Me,' will also be on display, depicting Jesus extending an invitation of peace and compassion. Reservations will be required for the 'Inside a Temple' experience.

  • The new Temple Square Visitors' Center will open to the public on Monday, May 18, 2026.
  • Reservations for the 'Inside a Temple' experience will be available starting September 1, 2026.
  • The Salt Lake Temple Celebration is scheduled from April 5, 2027 through October 1, 2027.

The players

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Brent H. Nielsen

An emeritus general authority seventy and coordinator for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration.

Rich Sutton

A senior director in the church's Temple Department.

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What they’re saying

“The new visitors' center is a window into our sacred covenants with Christ. It helps people of all backgrounds understand the role our temples play and why they matter to our members and to the communities. Here, guests can discover how temple teachings connect to everyday life and uncover the greater context of Latter-day Saint beliefs and commitment to family and Christ.”

— Dieter F. Uchtdorf, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

“Our church leaders really wanted the focus to be on Jesus Christ and the fact that this is his house. The visitors' center gives those not of our faith an opportunity to see inside a temple and better understand what happens there.”

— Brent H. Nielsen, Emeritus general authority seventy

“The rooms themselves, even though they're not dedicated temple space, they sure feel like it. They're built to the same standards as temples are. And there is a feeling in there that is different. It's peaceful. It's quiet. It's contemplative. It's even worshipful. And it's beautiful.”

— Rich Sutton, Senior director, Temple Department

What’s next

Reservations for the 'Inside a Temple' experience at the new Temple Square Visitors' Center will be available starting September 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The new Temple Square Visitors' Center represents an opportunity for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to share its sacred temple teachings and beliefs with the broader public in an immersive and educational way, helping people of all backgrounds better understand the role temples play in the lives of Latter-day Saints.