Temple Square, Virtual Tour:    www.360360.com/nonrail/temples.html

The Salt Lake Temple is considered a most holy place in the LDS (Mormon) religion. It is a beautiful, peaceful 10 acre spot amidst the noise and rush of downtown Salt Lake City. Much in the way of resources are a part of this sacred block surrounded by a 10 foot high granite wall, making the grounds, the buildings and the interior of the temple beautiful almost beyond words to describe it. Four wrought iron gates, one on each side provide entrance to the grounds. Due to its sacred nature, it is closed to the general public. Admission is allowed only to the worthy members of the church. Visitors are welcome to visit any of the other structures on Temple Square. The temple is used to perform baptisms for the dead, weddings, and other important family blessings. Temple Square is Salt Lake City’s biggest attraction, with over 5 million people visiting it annually, and it has become one of the major tour sites of Salt Lake City.

Admission is FREE 7 days a week, and tours are offered daily in 40 languages.

The six spired granite Salt Lake Temple with its gleaming white quartzite façade and multiple spires souring heavenward, is the centerpiece of this beautifully landscaped plot. Adjacent to it is the domed Tabernacle, home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with its 12,000 pipe Mormon Tabernacle Organ. There are 2 visitor centers with interactive videos, films, Old and New Testament paintings, and an 11 foot replica of Thorvaldson’s famous Christus are added attractions. 

The North Visitor Center is currently playing the film Legacy, a 53 minute feature film that covers the story of the Mormon Pioneers who overcame great tribulation to reach and settle the Salt Lake Valley.

  This is the famous staue of Christ known as the Christus by Bertel Thorvaldsen in the upper level of the North Visitors Center.

The South Visitor Center features exhibits on the building of the Salt Lake Temple and of the Temple interior.

The Assembly Hall across from the Tabernacle is used for free concerts featuring local and international artists. Only those 8 years old and older are admitted.

The famous Seagull Monument and the Mormon Handcart Statue are among the great statuary found on the grounds.

Christmas Time at Temple Square features hundreds of thousands of lights sparkling on trees and shrubs, a life-size Nativity Scene, and musical groups performing nightly during the month of December, making it a favorite place to visit during the Holidays.

The Lion House also located east of the temple on South Temple, is the one time living quarters for Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church. You can take a free tour and it is mainly used as a catered dining and reception center. The Pantry is open for lunch Monday through Friday.

Beehive House near Temple Square, the large attractive former home of Brigham Young. Free, 30 to 40 minute tours are given of the restored interior of the house.

The LDS Church Office Building east of Temple Square has an observation deck on the 26^th floor providing a great view of Salt Lake City, the Wasatch Mountains, and the surrounding city. The deck is open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4:30 PM. It is the  administration center of the church which has over 13 million members worldwide.

The Family History Library is across West Temple and going south gives visitors access to the largest collection of genealogical resources in the world.

Hours are 8 to 5 Monday, and 8 to 9 Tuesday through Saturday. Research is free with help from many volunteers...you pay for copies.

Museum of Church History and Art is north of the Family History Library. It is FREE and open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 9 PM, weekends and holidays 10 AM to 7 PM.

Conference Center is located just north of the Temple on North Temple. It contains

21,000 seats plus an 850 seat theater. Free guided tours are available daily from 9 AM to 8 PM. The semi-annual general conference of the church originates from this building in early April and October. Phone number is 801-240-0075.

There are 20 attractions related to Mormon history within 3 blocks in downtown Salt Lake City.

Mormon Pioneer Memorial Monument south of Brigham Young Historic Park, along State Street, which honors over 6000 pioneers who died crossing the plains in 1847 to 1869. This is also the gravesite of Brigham Young.