The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visited several newly completed rooms in the historic Salt Lake Temple on Friday, May 8, 2026, as the landmark renovation project enters its final phase.
President Dallin H. Oaks was joined by his wife, Kristen Oaks, along with First Counselor Henry B. Eyring and Second Counselor D. Todd Christofferson and his wife, Kathy Christofferson.
The visit marked an important milestone in the extensive restoration and seismic upgrade project that began after the temple closed on December 29, 2019. As of spring 2026, the temple has been closed for more than six years while crews have undertaken one of the most ambitious preservation projects in Church history.
President Oaks noted that the visit was especially meaningful as he continues recovering from hip replacement surgery performed on April 15.
“The opportunity to tour the temple today was a welcome chance to be with my brothers in the First Presidency in a place we cherish,” President Oaks said. “I have been looking forward to this opportunity to see firsthand the progress of this important project.”
President Oaks’ recovery is expected to take approximately three to four months, though he continues to fulfill office and other assignments during that process.
The Salt Lake Temple renovation is now in its concluding stage, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The project has included extensive seismic strengthening designed to preserve the historic 1893 structure for generations to come. Engineers installed 98 base isolators weighing eight tons each beneath the temple, along with hundreds of kilometers of reinforcing cable, allowing the building to better withstand future earthquakes.
One of the project’s most visible milestones occurred earlier this year when scaffolding surrounding the temple was fully removed between January and mid-March 2026, revealing the restored granite exterior for the first time in years.
Inside the temple, crews are completing detailed restoration work that includes repairing pioneer-era wood paneling and moldings, installing chandeliers in the north addition, and modernizing plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems while preserving the temple’s historic character.
Church leaders have emphasized that the Salt Lake Temple renovation reflects a commitment both to preserving sacred history and preparing the temple to serve future generations.
“Above all,” President Oaks said, “we look forward to teaching about the sacred purposes of temples throughout the world. In the temple, faithful men and women receive divine instruction, sacred responsibilities, and spiritual power. It is in the temple that eternal covenants are made that bind us and our families to our Heavenly Father and to one another for eternity.”
The visit by the First Presidency comes ahead of the planned Salt Lake Temple Open House, scheduled to run from April through October 2027, when the public will have an opportunity to tour the temple before its rededication later that year.
While the temple itself is not yet open to visitors, a new Temple Square Visitors’ Center will begin welcoming guests on May 18, 2026. The center will feature an “Inside a Temple” experience designed to help visitors better understand the purpose of temples and their role in Latter-day Saint worship.
Additional reservations for the “Inside a Temple” experience will be released beginning June 1, with new availability added every other Monday. Guests may reserve tickets online or through the Temple Square app.
Concurrent renovations across Temple Square continue to reshape the surrounding plaza and landscaping, with portions already reopened to the public as work progresses toward the temple’s anticipated completion at the end of 2026.
