The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unveiled a new sculpture at Temple Square and turned on its annual Christmas lights on Nov. 29, 2024.
While the Christmas lights make their annual appearance until Jan. 1, 2025, the sculpture will remain to become Temple Square’s newest landmark.
The sculpture, by artist Michael Hall, is a depiction of Joseph Smith’s famous “First Vision” and is the first of 14 new statues to be installed at Temple Square.
“This is a visual testimony for me,” Hall said. “To share my belief that God exists, that Jesus Christ is His son, that He died for all of us, and that because of this young 14-year-old boy, Joseph Smith, we can know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do care about us.”
Hall said the angle for his sculpture was intentional.
“If you look at the piece, it was designed in a way to very much lead your eye from Joseph up to the figure of Christ and then eventually to the figure of God and then back to Christ,” Hall said.
The sculpture is surrounded by the square’s newly renovated northwest plaza which is now open to the public. The square features new decorations and lights for visitors to enjoy.
Ken Fortie, a visitor to the square, said he was surprised to see a new statue in the plaza.
“We did not know about this. And as we went over there, we thought, ‘Wait a minute, where’s that statue from?’ So I guess this is its permanent home,” Fortie said.
Fortie said he enjoyed the feeling that Temple Square provided.
“We enjoy the lights and the spirit here. It's a pretty spirit, you know, a good feeling here,” Fortie said.
Other visitors also commented on the ongoing construction of the Salt Lake Temple.
“I still think the temple looks absolutely gorgeous, even with the scaffolding,” Marianne Despain, a Temple Square attendee said. “I haven't seen it for a while.”
Despite the construction on Temple Square, the Church has encouraged visitors to attend the many events, activities and free concerts held at or near the square.
Activities include more than 300 free concerts held at Temple Square. The concert schedule lists a variety of choirs sponsored by schools, missionaries and community organizations. These concerts will also include performances from various string, flute, guitar and bell groups on Temple Square and at other nearby locations.
“Come anyway, even though it's (under) construction, it's still beautiful and a good feeling. And you get to be with people you love,” Despain said.
Taquarius Fernandez, a Salt Lake area resident, said she enjoyed the new lights and hopes more people will attend.
“(People) should come see it,” Fernandez said. “It's nicer than last year.”
The Christmas lights will remain on daily from 6-8 a.m. and from 4:30-10 p.m. MST up until Jan. 1, 2025. The map below highlights the areas of Temple Square available to the public.
