With the Salt Lake Temple celebration around the corner, construction on other attractions at Temple Square is reaching completion—the latest being the Temple Square Visitors’ Center.
The stunning new space opens to the public on Monday, May 18, and features a variety of interactive exhibits and displays for guests to enjoy. Though admission to the center is free, reservations are required for a 30-minute guided “Inside a Temple” tour that takes place in the center’s lower level.
If you’re late reserving tour tickets, don’t worry. There’s still plenty of other things to do at Temple Square—and new tickets will become available every two weeks starting in June. Here’s a list of attractions in and around the visitors’ center that don’t require a reservation.
1. New “Christus” Statue
In the west wing of the visitors’ center, guests can see a newly commissioned replica of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s “Christus.” The statue stands at 11 feet tall with a beautiful view of the Salt Lake Temple through the windows in the background.
2. Scale Model of the Salt Lake Temple
In the east wing, guests will find a miniature scale model of the Salt Lake Temple. Narration and music explain what members of the Church do inside temples as the walls of the model open to reveal the interior rooms.
3. Temples Around the World
The lower level of the visitors’ center features more exhibits about temples, including additional scale models of 11 existing temples from around the world.
4. New Seated Statue of Christ
Found at the center of the lower level is a new seated statue of the Resurrected Christ, titled “Come unto Me.” The piece is a creation of Swiss artist Christian Bolt and is inspired by the Savior’s teachings in John 15:5.
5. Global Service Media Wall
Additional displays in the lower level highlight service efforts and the importance of caring for one another, as emphasized in the second great commandment.
6. Outdoor Statue Gardens
Outside the visitors’ center, guests can wander through beautifully landscaped gardens at Temple Square. They feature new bronze statues of Christ’s ministry and other sacred events in scripture and Church history.
For more information about the sites and events at Temple Square, visit TempleSquare.org.
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