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Renovation work on the historic Salt Lake Temple continues to move forward, marked by a significant visible milestone. Exterior scaffolding surrounding the temple’s exterior is being gradually removed as the stone walls are cleaned. For several years, the spires were fully enclosed to allow for extensive seismic upgrades, structural strengthening, and interior renovation.
The removal process will continue through mid-March 2026 and marks a transition from large-scale exterior construction to detailed interior finishing. For visitors to Temple Square, the unveiling of the temple’s exterior is a clear sign that the long-term project is nearing completion. The full renovation is scheduled to conclude by the end of 2026, followed by a six-month celebration in 2027. Additional information is available at TempleSquare.org.
In conjunction with these restoration updates, a new statue has been placed at Temple Square depicting the Old Testament Prophet Elijah restoring the sealing keys to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on April 3, 1836 (see Doctrine & Covenants 110:13–16). This sealing power, prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6, makes it possible for families to be bound together for eternity. The statue, titled Restoration of the Sealing Keys, is located northwest of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
The statue was created by Utah artist Ben Hammond, who also sculpted the Come, Follow Me and The Five Wise Virgins statues at Temple Square. “Once they moved all the construction equipment out of the way from installing it and we took the plastic off of it, I got a little emotional there,” Hammond said on Thursday, January 15, 2026. “It was a good feeling.” This and other statues being installed through 2027 are part of a broader artistic effort to highlight Jesus Christ, His restored gospel, and the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
