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New York Times covers Salt Lake Temple reopening and celebration

September 7, 2026 at 8:03 PM MT · via The New York Times · Summarized by Mormon News from original reporting

New York Times covers Salt Lake Temple reopening and celebration
Image via The New York Times

The New York Times examines the reopening of the Salt Lake Temple after years of renovation, describing the building's significance to Latter-day Saints and the Church's decision to host a large-scale public celebration. The story frames the temple—historically closed to all but faithful members—as "flinging open its doors" in an unprecedented public relations effort.

The temple has been closed since December 2019 for seismic upgrades and restoration work. The Times covers both the building's architectural and historical importance and the celebration event that drew more than one million registration requests in its first 24 hours.

The piece explores the tension between the temple's sacred, restricted nature and the Church's use of the reopening as a public-facing moment, positioning the event as part of the faith's ongoing effort to increase visibility and acceptance in mainstream American culture.

Read the full story at The New York Times

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