The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE. 

Two new statues have recently been added and are now part of the Temple Square experience.

“Joseph Smith Receives the Plates,” created by Leroy Transfield, stands near the Priesthood restoration monuments and the Seagull monument in the southwest corner. It depicts the moment when Joseph Smith received the gold plates from the Angel Moroni on September 22, 1827 — an event foundational to the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

An event celebrating the placement of the “Five Wise Virgins” statue, located west of the Relief Society Building, was held on April 2, 2025.

Since September 2024, seven statues — four new and three refurbished — have been placed on the grounds at Church Headquarters, with more expected in the coming months.

Salt Lake Temple Renovation

Inside the historic Salt Lake Temple, teams of artisans are working meticulously to restore the beauty of the sacred structure. From hand-painted ceilings to carefully gilded moldings, materials and techniques are being used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the interior while also respecting the temple’s original design.

Crews are also restoring and replicating the ornate wood paneling, beams and stenciling for which the temple is known. This includes reapplying gold leaf, adding detailed stencil designs and repairing wood elements that have aged over the years.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.