View source for Temple Square

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{for-multi|the percussion instrument|Temple block|the Los Angeles complex|Victorian Downtown Los Angeles|the UTA station|Temple Square (UTA station)}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name                 = Temple Square
| nrhp_type            = nhld
| nocat                = yes
| image                = Temple Square, Salt Lake City, 1899 retouched.jpg
| caption              = Temple Square, approx 1898–1905, showing the [[Salt Lake Temple]], [[Salt Lake Tabernacle]] and [[Salt Lake Assembly Hall]]
| location             = [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]
| coordinates          = {{Coord|40|46|14|N|111|53|33|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin             = Utah#USA
| area                 = {{cvt|10|acre|ha}}
| built                = 1853
| architect            = 
| architecture         = 
| designated_nrhp_type = January 29, 1964<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=554&ResourceType=District |title=Temple Square |access-date=2008-07-12 |work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=National Park Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018070448/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=554&ResourceType=District |archive-date=2007-10-18}}</ref>
| added                = October 15, 1966
| refnum               = 66000738<ref name="nris">{{NRISref |refnum=66000738|2007a}}</ref>
}}

'''Temple Square''' is a {{convert|10|acre|adj=on}} complex, owned by [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church), in the center of [[Salt Lake City]], Utah. The usage of the name has gradually changed to include several other church facilities that are immediately adjacent to Temple Square. Contained within Temple Square are the [[Salt Lake Temple]], [[Salt Lake Tabernacle]], [[Salt Lake Assembly Hall]], the [[Seagull Monument]], and two [[Visitors Center (Latter-day Saint)|visitors' centers]]. The square was designated a [[National Historic Landmark District]] in 1964, recognizing the [[Mormon]] achievement in the settlement of Utah.<ref name=nhlnom>{{cite web |url={{NHLS url|66000738}}|title=NHL nomination for Temple Square |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=2018-03-16}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Utah}}
[[File:Temple Square 1893.PNG|thumb|Layout of Temple Square, circa 1893.]]
[[File:Temple Square.svg|thumb|Temple Square and the surrounding area in 2013.]]

In 1847, when [[Mormon pioneer]]s arrived in the [[Salt Lake Valley]], [[President of the Church (LDS Church)|church president]] [[Brigham Young]] selected a plot of the desert ground, initially referred to as ''Temple Block,''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://rsc.byu.edu/tabernacle-old-wonderful-friend/buildings-temple-block-preceding-tabernacle |title=Buildings on the Temple Block Preceding the Tabernacle &#124; Religious Studies Center}}</ref> and proclaimed, "Here we will build a temple to our God."<ref>Quoted in [[Gordon B. Hinckley]], [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1993/03/the-salt-lake-temple?lang=eng "The Salt Lake Temple"], ''[[Ensign (LDS magazine)|Ensign]]'', March 1993, p. 2.</ref> When the city was surveyed, the block enclosing that location was designated for the [[Salt Lake Temple|temple]], and became known as Temple Square. Temple Square is surrounded by a 15-foot wall that was built shortly after the block was designated.

The square also became the headquarters of the LDS Church. Other buildings were built on the plot, including a [[tabernacle (LDS Church)|tabernacle]] (prior to the one occupying Temple Square today) and [[Endowment House]], both of which were later torn down. The Salt Lake Tabernacle, home of [[the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square]], was built in 1867 to accommodate the church's [[General Conference (LDS Church)|general conferences]], with a [[seating capacity]] of 8,000. Another church building, the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, was later built with a seating capacity of 2,000.

As the church has grown, its headquarters have expanded into the surrounding area. In 1917, an [[Church Administration Building|administration building]] was built on the block east of the temple and in 1972, a twenty-eight story [[LDS Church Office Building|office building]], which was, for many years, the tallest building in the state of Utah. The Hotel Utah, another building on this block, was remodeled in 1995 as additional office space and a large film theater and renamed the [[Joseph Smith Memorial Building]]. In 2000, the church purchased the section of Main Street between this block and Temple Square and connected the two blocks with a plaza called the Main Street Plaza. In 2000, the church completed a new, 21,000 seat [[LDS Conference Center|conference center]] on the block north of Temple Square.

In 2020, many of the buildings on and around Temple Square were closed for a time due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], and the [[Salt Lake Temple#2019 to 2026 renovation|multi-year renovation project]].<ref>Harkins, Paighten. [https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/03/13/lds-church-closes-temple/ "LDS Church closes Temple Square, other downtown attractions, because of coronavirus"], ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', 14 March 2020. Retrieved on 18 March 2020.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-19 |title=Plans Unveiled for Salt Lake Temple Renovation |url=http://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/plans-unveiled-salt-lake-temple-renovation |access-date=2020-08-06 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Modern usage==
[[File:Saltlaketemplehighsmith13507u.jpg|thumb|[[Salt Lake Temple]] ]]

===Tourism===
Attracting an estimate of 5-plus million visitors a year, Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Utah. The LDS Church does not provide exact statistical data on the number of visits to Temple Square, but visitation is estimated to similar to that of the [[Grand Canyon]] or [[Yellowstone National Park]]. Visitation to Utah's five [[United States National Park|national parks]]—[[Zion National Park|Zion]], [[Bryce Canyon National Park|Bryce Canyon]], [[Capitol Reef National Park|Capitol Reef]], [[Canyonlands National Park|Canyonlands]], and [[Arches National Park|Arches]]—had a combined total of approximately 9 million visitors in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/|title=National Reports|website=irma.nps.gov|access-date=6 March 2024}}</ref>

===General Conference===
{{Main|General Conference (LDS Church)}}

===Lighting===
The grounds, as well as [[the Gardens at Temple Square]], often host [[concert]]s and other events. During the [[Christmas]] holiday season, approximately 100,000 [[Christmas lights]] sparkle from [[tree]]s and [[shrubs]] around Temple Square each evening until 10 pm. The [[grand illumination|lighting]] of Temple Square is a popular event, usually attended by more than 10,000 people.<ref>Michael De Groote, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110225045317/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700091175/Decades-of-downtown-SL-music-and-lights.html "Decades of downtown S.L. music and lights"], ''[[Deseret News]]'', December 12, 2010.</ref>

===Other uses===
The multiple gates to Temple Square are popular places for critics of the LDS Church—mainly former members and activist evangelical ministers—to [[Picketing (protest)|picket]] and hand out [[Tract (literature)|tracts]] and literature critical of the church. They are also well-known locations for street musicians to perform, especially during the holiday season.

===Street directions===
Temple Square serves as the center point for all street addresses in Salt Lake City. The streets in Salt Lake follow a grid pattern which deviate out from the southeast corner of Temple Square.

==Sites==

===Salt Lake Temple===
{{Main|Salt Lake Temple}}
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of the church's operating [[Temple (LDS Church)|temples]].{{NoteTag |1={{LDS Temple status}}}} It is the sixth temple built by the church since its founding, and the fourth operating temple built following the [[Mormon exodus]] from [[Nauvoo, Illinois]].

===North and South Visitors' Centers===
[[File:Christus statue temple square salt lake city.jpg|thumb|left|[[Christus statue]] in North Visitors' Center]]

Beginning in 1963, two visitors' centers, called the North Visitors' Center and the South Visitors' Center, were constructed on temple square.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-10 |title=The North Visitors' Center on Temple Square Will Be Replaced |url=http://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/the-north-visitors-center-on-temple-square-will-be-replaced-with-gardens-and-contemplative-space |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref> The North Visitors' Center was built first and featured a replica of the ''[[Christus (statue)|Christus]]''. The ''Christus'' was in a room called the Rotunda with large windows, and a domed ceiling painted with heavenly bodies meant to reflect the sky on April 6, 1830, the day that the Church was founded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phares |first=Chad, E. |date=February 2010 |title=A Year on Temple Square The North Visitors' Center |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/friend/2010/02/the-north-visitors-center?lang=eng}}</ref> The visitors' centers and grounds are staffed by full-time [[Missionary (LDS Church)|sister missionaries]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.templesquareworld.com/missionaries.html |title=Sister Missionaries |last=Law |first=Kristina |year=2006 |access-date=2006-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429103854/http://www.templesquareworld.com/missionaries.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=2007-04-29}}</ref> and senior missionary couples exclusively; no single male missionaries are called to serve on Temple Square. The sister missionaries serving on Temple Square are from around the world, speaking enough languages to cater to the majority of visitors. Beginning with the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the sister missionaries have been wearing tags with the national flags of their home country along with their missionary name tags.

On April 19, 2019, church leaders announced that the South Visitors' Center would be demolished as part of a massive renovation project that began on December 29, 2019. Two smaller visitors' pavilions will take its place.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/plans-unveiled-salt-lake-temple-renovation |title=Plans Unveiled for Salt Lake Temple Renovation |date=2019-04-19 |website=Mormon Newsroom |language=en |access-date=2019-04-21}}</ref> On June 10, 2021, it was announced that the North Visitors' Center would be demolished as well. It will be replaced by a garden designed as contemplative space.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Toone |first=Trent |date=2021-06-10 |title=What will replace Temple Square's North Visitors' Center and why? |url=https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/10/22527276/temple-squares-north-visitors-center-will-soon-be-demolished-replaced-by-garden-renovation-lds |access-date=2021-11-23 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:LDS Bureau of Information, Temple Square, Salt Lake City (ca. 1909).jpg|thumb|Old Bureau of Information building, which served visitors from 1904 to 1978 (1909 photo).]]
[[File:Salt lake assembly hall christmas.jpg|thumb|The [[Salt Lake Assembly Hall|Assembly Hall]] at Temple Square at Christmas time.]]
[[File:SLTempleRemodel-April2025.jpg|thumb|The Salt Lake Temple clad in scaffolding in April 2025 as part of Temple Square's reconstruction]]

===Conference and assembly buildings===
{{See also|Salt Lake Assembly Hall|LDS Conference Center|Salt Lake Tabernacle}}

There are three large assembly buildings housed on Temple Square. The smallest of the three is the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, which seats approximately 2,000 and is on the southwest corner of Temple Square. The Assembly Hall is a [[Victorian Gothic]] congregation hall, with a cruciform layout of the interior that is complemented by [[Star of David|Stars of David]] circumscribed high above each entrance, which symbolize the gathering of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Construction of the hall began on August 11, 1877, and was completed in 1882.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/locations/assembly-hall Assembly Hall].</ref> It is just south of the Salt Lake Tabernacle and across from the South Visitor Center near the South Gate. Upon entering Temple Square from the south, the Assembly Hall can be seen to the left (west). The Assembly Hall hosts occasional free weekend music concerts and is filled as overflow for the church's twice-a-year [[General Conference (LDS Church)|general conferences]].

The second structure is the Salt Lake Tabernacle, home of the Tabernacle Choir Temple Square and [[Orchestra at Temple Square]]. The Tabernacle was built between 1864 and 1867 with an overall seating capacity of 8,000, including the choir area and gallery. In March 2007, the Tabernacle was rededicated after extensive renovations and restorations were completed. Spacing between the pews was substantially increased, resulting in a reduced overall seating capacity. The Tabernacle was rededicated during the church's general conference. In addition to housing the choir, the Tabernacle is also used for other religious and cultural events.

The largest and most recently built assembly building is the Conference Center. With a capacity of over 21,000, it is used primarily for the church's general conferences as well as for concerts and other cultural events. The Conference Center was completed in 2000. Attached on the northwest corner of the Conference Center is the [[Conference Center Theater]], an 850-seat theater for dramatic presentations, such as ''[[Savior of the World]]'', as well as concerts and other events.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/locations/temple-square-conference-center Conference Center].</ref>

===Museums and libraries===

====FamilySearch Library====
{{Main|FamilySearch Library}}
On the block west of Temple Square, the FamilySearch Library is the largest genealogical library in the world and is open to the general public at no charge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intl-research.com/overview.htm |title=AAG International Research |author=AAG International Research |publisher=AAG International Research |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref> The library holds genealogical records for over 110 countries, territories, and possessions. Its collections include over 2.4 million rolls of [[microfilm]]ed genealogical records; 742,000 [[microfiche]]; 310,000 books, [[Serial (literature)|serials]], and other formats; 4,500 [[periodicals]]; and 700 electronic resources.

====Church History Museum====
{{Main|Church History Museum}}
On the block west of Temple Square adjacent to the Family History Library, the [[Church History Museum]] houses collections of Latter-day Saint art and artifacts.<ref>McFall, Michael. [https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=58451214&itype=cmsid "A 'tour' of the new Church History Museum before it reopens"], ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', 3 October 2014. Retrieved on 16 March 2020.</ref> The Museum houses permanent exhibits as well as playing host to temporary exhibits throughout the year. Past exhibits have included the 100th anniversary of the [[Boy Scouts of America]], featuring 23 paintings by [[Norman Rockwell]]; displays and artwork from artist [[Arnold Friberg]]; and themed historical displays depicting church events.<ref>Burke, Leann. [https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=56602761&itype=cmsid "Church History Museum exhibits celebrate 100 years of Scouting"], ''[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]'', 18 July 2013. Retrieved on 16 March 2020.</ref>
[[File:Salt Lake City pan 1.jpg|thumb|A panoramic view showing Temple Square from the Conference Center looking south.]]

====Church History Library====
{{Main|Church History Library}}
On the block northeast of Temple Square and east of the Conference Center is the [[Church History Library]], where the historical records of the Church are stored. The Library is free to patrons, who can come use a large collection of books, manuscripts, and photographs. Senior missionaries provide tours of the public areas of the Library. Patrons can also view a video explaining the mission and purpose of the Library.

==See also==
{{Portal|Latter Day Saint movement|National Register of Historic Places}}
* [[Brigham Young Historic Park]]
* [[List of National Historic Landmarks in Utah]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Salt Lake City]]
* [[Nauvoo Bell]]
* [[Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood (sculpture)|''Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood'' (sculpture)]]
* [[Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood (sculpture)|''Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood'' (sculpture)]]
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{citation |first=C. Mark |last=Hamilton |contribution=Temple Square |url=http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/t/TEMPLE_SQUARE.html |editor-last=Powell |editor-first=Allan Kent |year=1994 |title=Utah History Encyclopedia |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |publisher=[[University of Utah Press]] |isbn=0-87480-425-6 |oclc=30473917 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411195058/http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/t/TEMPLE_SQUARE.html |archive-date=2013-04-11}}
* {{citation |first=Carly M. |last=Springer |date=May 23, 2014 |title=40 Things You Didn't Know about Temple Square |url=http://www.ldsliving.com/story/75845-40-things-you-didnt-know-about-temple-square?page=1 |journal=[[LDS Living]] |publisher=[[Deseret Books]]}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070804070317/http://tv.ksl.com/index.php?sid=3665&nid=81 KSL News: LDS Main Street Plaza Controversy]

==External links==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|en-templesquare.ogg|date=2007-01-15}}
* {{Commons-inline|Temple Square}}
* [http://www.lds.org/ Official website] – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
* [http://www.templesquare.com/ Official Site] – Temple Square
* [http://www.3d-exposure.com/panos1/temple-square-2.html Panoramic View of Temple Square at Sunset] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310083100/http://3d-exposure.com/panos1/temple-square-2.html |date=March 10, 2016 }}
* {{HAER|survey=UT-36|id=ut0028|title=Great Salt Lake Base & Meridian, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, UT|photos=1|color=|dwgs=|data=2|cap=1}}

{{LDSsites}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Temple Square]]
[[Category:1853 establishments in Utah Territory]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Utah]]
[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Utah]]
[[Category:Properties of religious function on the National Register of Historic Places in Utah]]
[[Category:Squares and plazas in Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Utah]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Salt Lake City]]