2 new baptismal fonts near completion as Salt Lake Temple renovations continue

Original cast-iron oxen in the east baptismal font of the Salt Lake Temple are reinstalled on April 10, after undergoing restoration work. The Salt Lake Temple will feature a second baptismal font when it opens in 2027.

Original cast-iron oxen in the east baptismal font of the Salt Lake Temple are reinstalled on April 10, after undergoing restoration work. The Salt Lake Temple will feature a second baptismal font when it opens in 2027. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints )


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KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Salt Lake Temple renovations include two new baptismal fonts, which are nearing completion.
  • Seismic upgrades, landscape changes and interior updates aim to preserve historic elements.
  • The renovation project is still on track to wrap up by 2027.

SALT LAKE CITY — The original 12 cast-iron oxen — 2,200 pounds each — installed when Salt Lake Temple first opened in 1893 are now back at home after being "meticulously" restored as the temple's renovations continue.

But they're now joined by 12 new fiberglass oxen as crews continue to build a second baptismal font, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a Temple Square construction update on Wednesday.

The oxen at the east and west baptismal fonts, which symbolize to members of the faith the 12 tribes of Israel and the strength of Jesus Christ's gospel, were recently installed as the temple's new baptismal fonts are nearing completion, according to the church. It points out that it's one of the bigger interior updates inside the historic building.

Crews are also now putting the "finishing touches" on the sealing rooms inside the building, installing lavish doors and chandeliers inside the rooms, church officials added. Artists are also working to complete an "intricate" ceiling within the building's celestial room.

"The goal is to ensure that the beautiful elements of the historic temple are preserved," the church wrote.

Crews do the restoration work on the intricate ceiling of the celestial room in the Salt Lake Temple on May 7.
Crews do the restoration work on the intricate ceiling of the celestial room in the Salt Lake Temple on May 7. (Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

To that end, crews are also using lasers to help remove the old varnish from the wood paneling within other parts of the building. The technology helps avoid damage to the original woodwork as the building undergoes renovations.

Interior updates are picking up as the largest portion of the project nears an end. Crews are starting to tighten up vertical strands inside columns that reach from the top of the temple's northeast towers to its new foundations, church officials wrote. Considered the final phase of the temple's seismic upgrade, the cables will help reinforce the building.

Crews also made progress in designing the landscape south of the temple, planting more water-wise plants and trees. The landscape changes, church officials wrote, align with their goal to reduce water consumption at church properties across the region.

The update comes as many parts of Temple Square have already reopened. Portions of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, including the new Garden Restaurant, are on track to reopen by the end of next month, Gary Porter, president of Temple Square Hospitality Corporation, told KSL.com in April. The Roof Restaurant is expected to reopen before the end of the year, as well.

The full project, which began in late 2019, remains on track to be completed in 2027.

An open house is planned for the temple from April to October in 2027, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced in Feburary. Church officials estimate that the six-month event will bring at least 3 million additional visitors downtown.

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The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsUtahSalt Lake CountyReligionHistoric
Carter Williams is a reporter for KSL.com. He covers Salt Lake City, statewide transportation issues, outdoors, the environment and weather. He is a graduate of Southern Utah University.
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