Temple Square Renovation Update: January 2026 

Scaffolding Being Removed from the Salt Lake Temple  

As the renovation of the historic Salt Lake Temple continues, a visible milestone has been reached: the scaffolding around the temple’s exterior is now being gradually removed as the stone walls are cleaned.

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For several years, the temple’s spires have been fully covered in scaffolding, which was necessary to complete the extensive seismic upgrades, structural strengthening and interior renovation work.

The removal of scaffolding, which will continue through mid-March 2026, signals a shift from the heavy construction on the exterior of the temple to a more detailed finish of the interior. For visitors to Temple Square, this is one of the clearest signs that the long-term construction work is nearing completion.

The full renovation project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026. The public will then be invited to attend a six-month celebration in 2027. For more information on the renovation and upcoming Salt Lake temple celebration, visit TempleSquare.org.

New Statue Placed at Temple Square

A new statue has also been placed at Temple Square representing the Old Testament Prophet Elijah restoring the sealing keys to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on April 3, 1836 (see Doctrine & Covenants 110:13–16). This sealing power was prophesied in the Old Testament (see Malachi 4:5-6) and can bind families together for eternity.

The “Restoration of the Sealing Keys” statue, located northwest of the Salt Lake Tabernacle, was created by Utah artist Ben Hammond, who also sculpted the “Come, Follow Me” and “The Five Wise Virgins” statues at Temple Square. 

“Once they moved all the construction equipment out of the way from installing it and we took the plastic off of it, I got a little emotional there,” Hammond said on Thursday, January 15, 2026. “It was a good feeling.”

These statues, and others scheduled to be installed from now into 2027, are part of a larger series of artistic installations at Temple Square that represent Jesus Christ, His restored gospel and the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.