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Church unveils resurrected Christ statue inside Conference Center

Church unveils resurrected Christ statue inside Conference Center

Built World Salt Lake City, UT local

Latest in a series of new Christ sculptures as Temple Square reopens ahead of the 2027 open house

October 5th, 2026: 'Dedicate' docuseries premieres

Overview

Updated Oct 22

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unveiled a statue of the resurrected Jesus Christ inside the Conference Center during the October 3-4 general conference. It is the latest in a series of new Christ sculptures installed during the seven-year Temple Square renovation.

Temple Square reopened to the public during that conference weekend, after construction barriers came down in September. The Church is preparing for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration, a six-month open house from April 5 to October 1, 2027, the first public opening since 1893. The first round of reservations drew 1 million bookings in less than 24 hours.

Why it matters

Temple Square is the Church's most visited site, and the 2027 open house will be the first public look inside the temple since 1893.

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Key Indicators

12
New Christ statues at Temple Square
The renovation adds 12 new sculptures of Jesus Christ to Temple Square; 'Jesus Christ Blessing the Children' was still to be installed as of October.
35 acres
Temple Square size
Size of the complex surrounding the Salt Lake Temple.
6 months
Temple Celebration duration
Open house runs April 5 to October 1, 2027.
1M
Bookings in 24 hours
First round of Salt Lake Temple open house reservations drew 1 million bookings in less than 24 hours.

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People Involved

Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Led media tours of the new Visitors' Center
 Emily Belle Freeman
Emily Belle Freeman
Young Women General President
Co-led media tours of the new Visitors' Center
 Michael Hall
Michael Hall
Sculptor
Created 'Christ Visits the Americas' and other Temple Square statues
SH
Stephani Hunt
Sculptor
Created 'Jesus Christ in Gethsemane' and 'Christ with Mary and Martha' statues
RH
Roger Hunt
Sculptor
Created 'Jesus Christ in Gethsemane' and 'Christ with Mary and Martha' statues
 Bill Williams
Bill Williams
Director of Design, Temples and Special Projects
Oversaw Conference Center design changes
 Gary E. Stevenson
Gary E. Stevenson
Member, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Attended 'Dedicate' premiere
TR
Tamara W. Runia
First Counselor, Young Women General Presidency
Attended 'Dedicate' premiere

Organizations Involved

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Religious organization
Temple Square reopened; preparing for 2027 Temple Celebration

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian denomination headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Deseret News
Deseret News
News organization
Reported on the statue unveiling

Deseret News is a Utah-based newspaper that covers news about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Timeline

December 2019 April 2027

15 events Latest: October 5th, 2026 · 1 month ago Showing 8 of 15
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Salt Lake Temple Celebration begins

    Upcoming Event

    Six-month open house begins, allowing visitors to tour the temple.

  2. 'Dedicate' docuseries premieres

    Latest Event

    Church leaders and cast members gather in Salt Lake City for the premiere of a docuseries following seven young adults exploring the Salt Lake Temple.

  3. President Oaks announces Salt Lake Temple open house

    Announcement

    President Dallin H. Oaks announces the temple will open to the public April 5 to October 1, 2027, during the 196th Semiannual General Conference.

  4. Resurrected Christ statue unveiled in Conference Center

    Art Installation

    New statue of resurrected Jesus Christ, titled 'Christ Visits the Americas,' unveiled inside Conference Center during the first sessions of general conference.

  5. Temple Square reopens to the public

    Opening

    Visitors returned to Temple Square during general conference weekend after nearly seven years of construction.

  6. Conference Center closed until March 2027 for renovations

    Construction

    The Conference Center, where the new Christ statue stands, is closed for renovations, infrastructure upgrades and exhibit development until March 2027.

  7. Mary and Martha statue installed

    Art Installation

    'Jesus Christ With Mary and Martha' installed at Temple Square.

  8. Construction barriers removed around Temple Square

    Construction

    Crews removed the barriers that had surrounded the Salt Lake Temple during renovation.

  9. Two more Christ statues installed

    Art Installation

    'Jesus Christ Ordains Apostles' and 'Jesus Christ and Mary at the Tomb' installed.

  10. Woman at the Well statue installed

    Art Installation

    'Jesus Christ With the Woman at the Well' installed at Temple Square.

  11. Seismic upgrade completed

    Construction

    Salt Lake Temple now rests on base isolation system, can move 5 feet in any direction.

  12. New Visitors' Center opens

    Opening

    Temple Square Visitors' Center opens to the public with interactive exhibits.

  13. Media tour of new Visitors' Center

    Event

    Uchtdorf and Freeman lead media through temple replica rooms.

  14. Two new Christ statues unveiled

    Art Installation

    'Jesus Christ Carrying the Cross' and 'Jesus Christ in Gethsemane' debut at Temple Square.

  15. Salt Lake Temple closes for renovation

    Construction

    Temple closes for seismic upgrade and multi-year renovation.

Scenarios

1

Salt Lake Temple rededicated as scheduled

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Church officials and Deseret News

The Church completes the rededication of the Salt Lake Temple after the six-month Temple Celebration. The temple reopens for worship, and the new statues remain as permanent fixtures on Temple Square.

2

Temple Celebration draws over 1 million visitors

Possible Resolves by Oct 1, 2027

Discussed by: KSL.com and Deseret News

The six-month open house attracts visitors from around the world, with the new Christ statues becoming a key attraction. The Church reports attendance figures after the celebration concludes.

3

New statues become a signature Temple Square attraction

Likely Resolves by Oct 1, 2027

Discussed by: Temple Square officials and travel publications

The new Christ statues are featured prominently in official Temple Square materials and travel guides, becoming a recognized landmark alongside the Christus replica.

4

'Dedicate' series expands global reach of Temple Celebration

Likely Resolves by May 1, 2027

Discussed by: Church Newsroom, Deseret News

The six-part docuseries, available in 11 languages, draws viewers from around the world who can't attend the Temple Celebration in person. The Church reports viewership numbers after the final episode airs in spring 2027.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1821-1833

Thorvaldsen's Christus (1833)

Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen created the Christus statue, a larger-than-life marble depiction of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms. The statue was commissioned for the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen.

Then

The statue was installed in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen in 1833.

Now

The Christus became one of the most famous depictions of Christ, with replicas worldwide. A replica was installed at Temple Square in 1966 and became a landmark.

Why this matters now

Shows how a single statue can become an iconic religious landmark, similar to the new Christ statues at Temple Square.

1966

Temple Square Visitors' Center opening (1966)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened the Temple Square Visitors' Center, featuring a replica of Thorvaldsen's Christus statue. The center became a major tourist attraction.

Then

The Visitors' Center drew thousands of visitors to Temple Square.

Now

The Christus replica became one of the most recognizable images associated with Temple Square and the Church.

Why this matters now

The current renovation includes a new Visitors' Center and new Christ statues, continuing the tradition of using art to welcome visitors.

1999-2002

Nauvoo Temple reconstruction (2002)

The Church rebuilt the Nauvoo Illinois Temple, which was destroyed by fire in 1848. The reconstruction was completed in 2002, and the temple was rededicated.

Then

The temple was rededicated in June 2002, drawing thousands of visitors.

Now

The reconstruction helped revitalize Nauvoo and became a symbol of the Church's commitment to its history.

Why this matters now

Shows how the Church undertakes major temple projects and celebrates their completion with open houses and dedications.

Sources

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Deseret News Church Newsroom Church News KSL.com Temple Square Alpine-Highland-Lehi Tribune KSL.com Deseret News Church Newsroom Church News Church Newsroom