The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the theme for the upcoming open house and celebration of the historic Salt Lake Temple.
“Rejoice in Christ” is the theme, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf announced Tuesday morning.
“We are reaching out to all the world to invite them to come and see what is happening here in Salt Lake City. We are also announcing the theme of the celebration of the Salt Lake Temple in the coming year. It is Rejoice in Christ. That is the theme. That is the motto.
“There are hundreds of thousands of reasons we are here, because we are reaching out to you individually, and we invite you again to come and see.”
The world is invited to register now for free tickets to tour the pioneer-era Salt Lake Temple next year, the first chance for the general public to see inside the landmark in its 134-year history.
“Jesus Christ is the foundation of our lives,” President Uchtdorf said. “He is the reason we know why we are here, what the purpose of life is. ... During the renovation, we focused on the foundation.”
The theme of the Salt Lake Temple Celebration comes at the end of a massive, seven-year renovation.
The announcement is the first event held in the new west entrance building for the Salt Lake Temple following its renovations.
Quotes from the news conference
- “The Salt Lake Temple open house reservations begin today,” said Primary General President Rosemary K. Chibota. “Everyone is invited. ... We invite you to come and tour the temple. This is more than touring a remarkable building. It is about coming closer to Jesus Christ and remembering that all of us are beloved children of our Heavenly Father.”
- “I’m sitting here in this incredible edifice awed by the artistry of this building, artistry that could challenge any building anywhere in this country or Europe or anywhere in the world,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said in his remarks. “... We are so grateful to the Church of Jesus Christ for their efforts in preserving this building.”
What is the Salt Lake Temple Celebration?
The Salt Lake Temple Celebration is a historic event taking place from April 5 through Oct. 1, 2027, to mark the temple’s reopening after years of renovations.
An immersive new visitors’ center opened earlier this year, allowing visitors to learn more about temples and walk through replicas of several rooms in the Salt Lake Temple. The Temple Square grounds have also reopened with new sculptures and other features as construction has continued on the temple.
In April, the finished temple will open to the public for guided tours. Temple Square will also feature a number of special experiences, including exhibitions and performances.
These new experiences were “designed to help all guests learn of Jesus Christ. He is the focus,” Elder Dale G. Renlund of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in a press release. “We hope and pray that the millions of guests who come to Temple Square every year and engage with these new experiences will be inspired and come to know their Savior better.”
Open house tours are free but require reservations. The first batch of tickets for Salt Lake Temple tours will be released on Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. MDT on TempleSquare.org and the church’s Temple Square app. More tickets will become available in future releases.
Volunteer opportunities for the celebration are available to anyone age 16 and older, including those who are not members of the church.
Following the open house and temple celebration, the Salt Lake Temple will be rededicated as a house of the Lord and will reopen for temple worship.