The church also released new photos of the Salt Lake Temple renovation process
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Seagull Monument reinstalled on the southwest corner of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Brogan Houston covers the Utah Mammoth and trending news for the Deseret News.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Friday that it has reopened the southwest corner of Temple Square, which includes three newly restored monuments:
The Seagull Monument.
The monument depicting Peter, James and John bestowing the Melchizedek priesthood on Joseph Smith.
The monument depicting John the Baptist giving the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
Landscaping is still underway in that area, but visitors can now walk through the entire west side of Temple Square, which also includes the Salt Lake Tabernacle and Assembly Hall on one side of the street, with the FamilySearch Library and the Church History Museum on the other side.
The Church also released photos of the interior and exterior of the Salt Lake Temple, which is currently being renovated.
Earlier this month, President Russell M. Nelson announced the Salt Lake Temple open house, which will begin in April 2027 and will last a record-setting six months.
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“As houses of the Lord now dot the earth, I invite you to cherish your time and service at the temples closest to you as we prepare for the reopening of the Salt Lake Temple in 2027,” President Nelson said.
Entry gate into the southwest corner of Temple Square, from South Temple Street, in Salt Lake City, Utah on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Monument on the southwest corner of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, depicts Joseph Smith receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood from Apostles Peter, James and John. Photo taken Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Seagull Monument reinstalled on the southwest corner of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Monument on the southwest corner of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, portrays John the Baptist giving Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the Aaronic Priesthood. Photo taken Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Overview of construction on the Salt Lake Temple from the south side of Temple Square on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Overview of construction work in front of the east towers of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Overview of stone work being installed on the north pavilion of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Overview of Salt Lake Temple construction work from the southwest on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Overview of the new sealing wing in the north addition of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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View of the east pavilion of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Staircase leading into the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Floor tile work is now complete in the west baptismal font of the Salt Lake Temple. Photo taken on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Entrance to the west baptismal font in the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Delicate finish work underway in one of the sealing rooms in the north addition of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Delicate finish work in one of the sealing rooms in the north addition of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Artist does delicate finish work in one of the sealing rooms in the north addition of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Intricate details of the ceiling in an endowment room of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Hallway of bridal suite in the north addition of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Finish work moves forward in the baptismal font area in the north addition of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Finish work moves forward in the baptismal font area in the north addition of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Intricate details of the ceiling in the celestial room of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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President Russell M. Nelson holds a rendering of the Salt Lake Temple celestial room. The photo was taken on January 30, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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