Temple Square in Salt Lake City
801-531-1000 or 800-363-6027 www.templesquare.com
Temple Square in Salt Lake City is Utah’s most popular tourist attraction. Being the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the 35-acre area contains more than 15 attractions related to Mormon heritage and beliefs. Whether it’s the rich history, the gorgeous gardens and architecture, or the vivid art and culture that pulls you in, you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Salt Lake Temple
The impressive Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build, between 1853 and 1893. The temple is considered the house of the Lord and is sacred to members of the Church. Although the Salt Lake Temple is not open for tours, you can stroll around the grounds and stop in the South Visitors’ Center to see a scale model of the temple.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is formed by 360 volunteers and has performed all over the world. The public is invited to the Choir’s free weekly Music & the Spoken Word broadcast on Sundays in the Tabernacle at 9:30 a.m. (guests must be seated by 9:15) and the choir’s rehearsal every Thursday at 8 p.m. Many other performances by different artists happen in the Tabernacle, Assembly Hall and Conference Center at Temple Square, which are free and open to the public.
Visitors’ Centers
Temple Square has two visitors’ centers open daily from 9am to 9pm where complimentary tours are offered. The North Visitors’ Center is known for being the home of the famous 11-foot Christ statue, paintings and stories from the scriptures and the first century Jerusalem model. The South Visitors’ Center illustrates the history of the building of the Salt Lake Temple and its importance for members of the Church and their families.
Joseph Smith Memorial Building
The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is a community center and event venue operated by the LDS Church. The building has a chapel, 12 banquet rooms, three restaurants, and FamilySearch Center, a public facility introducing visitors to genealogical research. Also in the the Joseph Smith Memorial Building is the Legacy Theater with free showings of the movie Meet the Mormons. The historic building was formerly the Hotel Utah and its lobby has been elegantly restored with a stained glass ceiling and intricate moldings.
More Temple Square Attractions
More attractions at Temple Square include the Church History Museum, which exhibits art and relics related to the Mormon church from the mid-1800’s to the present; the Family History Library, housing the largest collection of genealogical records in the world; the Church History Library, featuring historic Church documents and exhibits; the Church Office Building, where you can go to the 26th floor for breathtaking views of the Salt Lake Valley; the Relief Society Building to learn more about the women in the Church; the Conference Center, with its impressive architecture and 21,000-seat auditorium; and the Beehive House and the Lion House, which were the homes of Mormon Church president Brigham Young and his large family. Today the Lion House is an event venue and a restaurant.
Free tours are offered daily in the Beehive House and Conference Center, Monday through Friday in the Relief Society Building and Church Office Building, and Monday through Saturday in the Church History Library, Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Family History Library. The Church History Museum is closed for renovations and will open in Fall 2015.
For more information:
801-531-1000 or 800-363-6027
www.templesquare.com