Visitors Center (Latter-day Saint)

File:Nauvoo House and Bidaman Stable - Nauvoo, Illinois - 24 September 2019.jpg]]

In a revelation he said was received on January 19, 1841, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, was commanded to build the Nauvoo House a waypoint for travelers and immigrants and a place for them to learn about the church.{{Cite web |title=Nauvoo House, Nauvoo, Illinois – Place |url=https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/place/nauvoo-house-nauvoo-illinois |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=www.josephsmithpapers.org}}{{Cite web |title=Nauvoo House – Ensign Peak Foundation |url=https://ensignpeakfoundation.org/nauvoo-house/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=The Nauvoo House Association |url=https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/8853 |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=contentdm.lib.byu.edu |language=en}} To construct the project stock was sold but the ownership remained under the Smith family.{{Cite web |title=A Monument of the Saint's Industry {{!}} Religious Studies Center |url=https://rsc.byu.edu/council-fifty/monument-saints-industry |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=rsc.byu.edu}} The project was not completed before the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the 1847 Exodus from Nauvoo. In later years, Emma Smith and Lewis C. Bidamon would complete the building as the Riverside Mansion. In 1909, it was bought by the Community of Christ and currently is lodging for tourists to Nauvoo.

The LDS Church published essays in the 1850s to explain the doctrine and logic behind polygamy, but they were received poorly and by the 1870s the church did not try to explain itself to anyone not interested in becoming a member.{{Cite journal |last=Hafen |first=Thomas K. |date=1997 |title=City of Saints, City of Sinners: The Development of Salt Lake City as a Tourist Attraction 1869–1900 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/971025 |journal=The Western Historical Quarterly |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=343–377 |doi=10.2307/971025 |jstor=971025 |issn=0043-3810}} When railroad tourism began to become popular in the 1870s, Salt Lake City became a popular tourist destination because of the natural tourist attractions like the Great Salt Lake, combined with negative and mostly false publicity associated with polygamy and perceived anti-American sentiment. Between 1869 and 1890, the population of Salt Lake City decreased from church members being 90–95% of the population to about 50%. The new residents who were not church members would take visitors on carriage tours from the train station where the drivers would point out houses built for polygamous families and tell "yarns" about what went on inside the temple.{{Cite web |last=Goddard |first=H. Wallace |title=Temple Square's Early Warm Welcome |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/eng/ensign/1996/02/temple-squares-early-warm-welcome |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}} Some tourists would stop to look in the windows of Lion House and make guesses on how many wives were home.

In 1860, James Townsend, a polygamist church member, built a bed and breakfast called the Townsend House and offered tours of the city. In 1875, Charles J. Thomas was made the first official guide to Temple Square. He primarily performed groundskeeping, but also gave tours of the Salt Lake Temple's construction site.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-29 |title=Visitors centers serve as tool for telling the LDS story, missionary work and strengthening members |url=https://www.deseret.com/2016/9/29/20597164/visitors-centers-serve-as-tool-for-telling-the-lds-story-missionary-work-and-strengthening-members |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} In 1877, The Salt Lake Tribune published an editorial criticizing tourists to Salt Lake and compared their visits to Temple Square and Brigham Young's house with a visit to a Brothel in any other city.

In 1887, William. S. McCornick, Patrick Lanahan, and Heber J. Grant founded the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. In 1888, the organization published an open letter stating that the negative press was hurting investment in the state, and in 1890 spent $4,000 to counter negative press in the East.

In 1893, LeRoi Snow, son of Lorenzo Snow, a future church president, stopped a tour and invited the group to meet his father and tour their house. This is said to be the origin of the first official efforts to proselyte in and around Temple Square. Active organized proselyting efforts towards tourists began in 1902.

File:LDS Bureau of Information, Temple Square, Salt Lake City (ca. 1909).jpg

The bureau of information was established in 1902 because church leadership recognized the need for clear information about the church in and around Temple Square.{{Cite web |last1=Hallstrom |first1=Ryan J. |last2=University |first2=Brigham Young |title=The Salt Lake City Bureau of Information |url=https://www.intermountainhistories.org/items/show/423 |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Intermountain Histories |language=en}} It was right next to the south gate of Temple Square. Local youth were recruited to give tours and provide information from a small booth under the direction of Ben Goddard. In 1904, the booth was replaced by a brick building and in 1918 there was another renovation including a museum and a gift shop. Over time the bureau began to publish their own pamphlets and distribute church supplies as well.

File:Bureau of Information Interior Replica Church History Museum.png]]

In 1893, the LDS Church participated in the Chicago World Columbian Exposition to counter the negative press it received. The church also participated in World's fairs in Dresden (1930), Chicago (1933–34), San Diego (1935–36), San Francisco (1939–40), and others.

George Stanley McAllister Jr (1900–1970; a missionary in the church's Eastern States Mission from 1920–1923) had the idea for an LDS Pavilion while reading an article in The New York Times on August 10, 1959 about the upcoming 1964 New York World's Fair.{{Cite web |title=The Mormon Pavilion at the 1964–65 New York World's Fair {{!}} Religious Studies Center |url=https://rsc.byu.edu/eye-faith/mormon-pavilion-1964-65-new-york-worlds-fair |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=rsc.byu.edu}} As president of the New York Stake in 1961, he approached LDS Church leaders with his idea. This coincided with the creation of the church's publicity department, the Church Information Service (CIS) and a church deficit of $9 million. The church saw it as a good opportunity to proselyte and went forward with the site selection where the church was able to get a place next to one of the entrances. The site was dedicated on March 27, 1963 by George Harding Mortimer JD (1903–1998) with Harold B. Lee, Richard L. Evans and Delbert L. Stapley of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in attendance.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Groundbreaking at the New York World's Fair March 27, 1963. New York World's Fair Commission, Fleshing, NY.[https://www.worldsfairphotos.com/nywf64/booklets/latter-day-saints-groundbreaking-3-27-63.pdf] In a stroke of luck for the church, the adjoining site was left empty and Irvin T. Nelson was able to design a garden that later won an award from the American Association of Nurserymen. Overall, 51,607,307 people visited the fair, 6 million visited the LDS Pavilion, and 100,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were sold. The church attributed 1,030 baptisms in 1965 to contacts made through the pavilion.Church Information Service Report. (March 1966). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1. Available through L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library

This was the first time where several themes used in later visitors' centers were introduced including: Thorvaldsen's Christus, Man's Search for Happiness, and missionary tour-guides.{{Cite web |date=2014-09-30 |title=1964 World's Fair pavilion had far-reaching impact |url=https://www.deseret.com/2014/9/30/20549559/1964-world-s-fair-pavilion-had-far-reaching-impact |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}

The church had a pavilion modeled after the golden plates made for Expo '74.{{Cite web |title=From the Archives: Expo '74 – May 2, 2014 {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/picture-stories/2014/may/02/expo-archives/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Spokesman.com |language=en}} The local congregation created what was later to be known as the Mormon Expo choir for the event. They performed many times a week for the duration of the Expo and released an album entitled I Love Life.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-06 |title=The Story of the Mormon Expo Choir |url=https://spokanestake.org/2022/03/06/the-story-of-the-mormon-expo-choir/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=The Spokane Stake Sentinel |language=en}} During this time, July 18–26 was designated Mormon Events Week, the Tabernacle Choir the performed in the coliseum on July 18–19 to sold out audiences. There was a large celebration on July 24 to commemorate Pioneer Day. The program featured church president, Spencer W. Kimball, and various dance performances from local youth.{{Cite web |last=Paulsen |first=Vivian |date=1974-11-01 |title='Catch a Happy Feeling': Mormon Youth at Expo '74 |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/eng/new-era/1974/11/catch-a-happy-feeling-mormon-youth-at-expo-74 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} A special edition of the Book of Mormon was printed with a gold cover for the event.{{Cite web |date=1999-05-15 |title=This week in Church history |url=https://www.deseret.com/1999/5/15/20774923/this-week-in-church-history |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}

After the positive reception at the 1964 New York World's Fair, the church began to mirror visitors' centers similar to the Mormon Pavilion. Aspects from the design were piloted on Temple Square and then later used in visitors' centers at the Los Angeles California, Mesa Arizona, and Laie Hawaii temples, as well as Liberty Jail in Liberty, Missouri, and the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Sharon, Vermont.

The LDS Church began its annual tradition of lighting Temple Square with Christmas lights in 1965.Church Information Service Report. (February 1967). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, available through L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library. The first years included life-size displays of the manger and the inn, performances of Gian Carlo Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors, and a one night performance of Handel's Messiah. The tradition spread to other temples including the Washington D. C. Temple in 1978 and Los Angeles in 1979.{{Cite web |last=Saints |first=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day |title=Festival of Lights. Washington, DC. |url=http://dctemplelights.lds.org/dctl |access-date=2022-06-22 |website=Festival of Lights. Washington, DC.}} Church meetinghouses around the world began to similar Christmas lighting programs around the same time.{{Cite web |title=Deseret News |date= 1967-12-02 | page= 32 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=26275803 |access-date=2022-06-22 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}

This section only deals with the Christus as used by the LDS Church. For a complete history see Christus (statue).File:ChristusChild.jpg.]]

The LDS Church's first replica of Thorvaldsen's Christus was a gift to the church by Stephen L Richards and placed in the North Visitors' Center.{{Cite journal |last=Richardson |first=Matthew |date=2003 |title=Bertel Thorvaldsen's "Christus": A Mormon Icon |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23289309 |journal=Journal of Mormon History |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=66–100 |jstor=23289309 }}{{Cite book |last=Richardson |first=Matthew |title=The Christus Legacy |publisher=Leatherwood Press |year=2007 |isbn=9781599920405}} Richards first saw the statue in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California and later saw the original in Copenhagen, Denmark in September 1950. In meetings around the construction of a new bureau of information and creation of a tour of Temple Square, he suggested that a copy of the Christus would clearly show that church members believe in Jesus Christ. The statue was originally planned to be left outdoors, but because of concerns that the marble would deteriorate the statue was moved to the rotunda of the North Visitors' Center.

Richards worked with Hubert Lewright Eaton (1891–1966) at Forest Lawn Memorial Park to commission a replica made by the workshop of Rebechi Aldo & Gualtiero in Pietrasanta, Italy from white Torrone Marble. The statue was finished in January 1959, Richards died on May 19, and the statue arrived in Salt Lake City in June. The replica was 11 feet 1/4 inch tall, weighed 12,000 lbs., and cost $10,000. The statue was the focal point in the design of Temple Square's North Visitors' Center.

Before the North Visitors' Center was completed, the church considered incorporating the statue into the 1964 New York World's Fair Mormon Pavilion. However, because the costs were so similar, the church had Rebechi Aldo & Gualtiero create another copy. Initially some people were concerned that the statue would be worshipped as an Icon, but the fears were assuaged by people's behavior during the world fair. After the fair, the statue was slated to end up in Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial, but ended up in the Los Angeles California Temple's Visitors' Center.

Another smaller statue was commissioned for Expo '70 and after the fair was shipped to the visitors' center at the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. Between 1979 and 1988, four more copies were made for visitors' centers in temples in Laie, Hawaii, Mesa, Arizona, Mexico City, and Washington D.C. In 1990, 3-D Art, a fiberglass company in Kearns, Utah was asked by the church's Missionary Department to make a lighter weight replica of the Christus. The first was sent to the Oakland California Temple Visitors' Center in 1992. The fiberglass process was then used to make a traveling model that is sent around the world for temple open houses. Over time the statue became a clear symbol of the LDS Church and is used frequently in its visitors' centers.

On April 4, 2020, church president Russell M. Nelson announced the Christus would become a part of the church's official symbol to emphasize "the centrality of the Savior."{{Cite web |date=2020-04-04 |title=The Church's New Symbol Emphasizes the Centrality of the Savior |url=http://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-symbol-church-of-jesus-christ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Church |first=President Russell M. Nelson President of the |title=The Correct Name of the Church |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/eng/general-conference/2018/10/the-correct-name-of-the-church |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

The first use of museum-like exhibits was in the 1964 New York World's Fair Mormon Pavilion.Church Information Service Report. (May 1966). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1. Available through L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library After the end of the World's Fair, the exhibits were taken and modified to fit visitors centers in temples in Los Angeles, California, Laie, Hawaii, and Mesa, Arizona; along with Temple Square, Liberty Jail, and the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial. Outdoor signs and advertisements were also made.

The first visitors' center with completely bilingual exhibits is at the Mesa Arizona Temple.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-13 |title=Young adults play a key role in design, emphasis of new Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-08-13/young-adults-youth-role-new-mesa-arizona-temple-visitors-center-222172 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Church News |language=en-US}}

The first film to be used in a visitors' center was Man's Search for Happiness. The proselyting film explains the doctrines around Plan of Salvation and seeks to provide answers to the questions, "Where do I come from?" "What is the purpose of life?" and "Where do I go after I die?"

Musical performances play a significant role in the culture of the church. Musical performances were held in every major place that the church had its members from its organization to the present day.{{Cite web |title=Utah Historical Quarterly, Volume 27, Number 3, 1959 by Utah State History |url=https://issuu.com/utah10/docs/uhq_volume27_1959_number3 |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=issuu.com |page=248 |language=en}} Musical performances were and are held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

The visitors' center was closed in 2018 and replaced by the Church History Centre and Museum.{{Cite web |last=Openshaw |first=Geoff |date=2018-01-31 |title=Mormon Church to Close Some Temple Visitors Centers and a Family History Center |url=https://www.thisweekinmormons.com/2018/01/mormon-church-close-temple-visitors-centers-family-history-center/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=This Week in Mormons |language=en-US}} Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, grew up around the Hamilton Temple and visitors' center.{{Cite magazine |title=Jacinda Ardern: Up Close With the Leader of New Zealand |url=https://time.com/5028891/jacinda-ardern-worlds-youngest-female-leader-new-zealand/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |magazine=Time |language=en}}

The Idaho Falls Temple Visitors' Center was originally a repurposed tool shed where tours of the temple construction site were coordinated from 1945–1960.{{Cite web |date=2008-03-29 |title='How beautiful' |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2008-03-29/how-beautiful-77439 |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=Church News |language=en-US}} The building was replaced by a bureau of information dedicated by Henry D. Moyle on May 15, 1960. The visitors' center was remodeled and expanded in 1983 to add two new theaters and exhibit rooms to teach about the Book of Mormon and Solomon's Temple.

The center hosts guided tours and was named a 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award winner.{{Cite web |title=Idaho Falls Temple & Visitors Center – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g35489-d20951744-Reviews-Idaho_Falls_Temple_Visitors_Center-Idaho_Falls_Idaho.html |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=Tripadvisor |language=en}} The visitors center has replica of the Christus, an exhibit about the teachings of the church's presidents, an exhibit about the purpose of temples, an exhibit called Temple by the River explaining a gallery with rotating exhibits, and a movie theater.{{Cite web |title=Idaho Falls Temple Visitors' Center |url=https://www.trekaroo.com/activities/idaho-falls-temple-visitors-center-idaho-falls-idaho |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=www.trekaroo.com}}{{Cite web |title=Idaho Falls Temple |url=https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2612.html |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=www.u-s-history.com}}{{Cite web |title=Idaho Falls Temple Visitors' Center {{!}} Idaho Falls {{!}} Church guide 2022 |url=https://churchesinusa.com/church/idaho_falls_temple_visitors_center/327384703969779/?lang=en |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=churchesinusa.com}} The visitors center was rededicated by L. Tom Perry March 21, 2008. The center hosted the Reflections of Christ traveling exhibit in May 2011.{{Cite web |date=2011-04-16 |title=What's happening? Mormon Times national calendar |url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/4/16/20385251/what-s-happening-mormon-times-national-calendar |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}

The Los Angeles Temple Bureau of Information began operating in the spring of 1955.{{Cite book |last=Cowan |first=Richard |url=https://rsc.byu.edu/book/beacon-hill |title=A Beacon on a Hill: The Los Angeles Temple |publisher=BYU Religious Studies Center |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-9443-9435-6 |location=Provo, UT |language=EN |chapter=Open House and Dedication}} It turned into a visitors' center after a remodel after May 1966 where museums style exhibits were added. The artwork and displays added were estimated at the time to cost $260,000.{{Cite news |date=1 July 1967 |title=L.A. Mormon Temple Visitor Center Opens |pages=19 |work=The Los Angeles Times |id={{ProQuest|155768993}} }} The visitors' center includes a replica of the Christus statue carved by Aldo Rebachi for the 1964 New York World's Fair Mormon Pavilion.{{Cite web |date=2015-06-20 |title=The Christus Statue: Our Reminder of the Living Christ |url=https://www.ldsdaily.com/home-and-family/the-christus-statue-our-reminder-of-the-living-christ/ |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=LDS Daily |language=en-US}}

On March 9, 2020, the visitors' center hosted the fourth annual Women-In-Diplomacy Day with Reyna I. Aburto as the keynote speaker.{{Cite web |title=This week in Mormon Land: A virtual General Conference, new scripture videos, BYU Honor Code revolt |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/03/12/this-week-mormon-land/ |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}

The London England Temple Visitors' Center was first dedicated in 1969 by John Longden.{{Cite web |title=Church to Close Two Visitors' Centers, Change Operation of Another – Church News and Events |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/church-to-close-two-visitors-centers-change-operation-of-another?lang=eng |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}} The center was renovated and rededicated in 2008, and then subsequently changed to a waiting area at the end of 2017.

The Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center was most recently renovated in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Scanlon |first=Tom |date=21 August 2022 |title=Mesa Temple ready for visitors – almost |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/mesa-temple-ready-for-visitors-almost/article_344db1fc-f71d-11eb-b59f-c794af2349d2.html |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=East Valley Tribune |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Stephen G. |title=Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center |url=https://saltriverstories.org/items/show/202 |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Salt River Stories |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-13 |title=Elder Soares Dedicates New Mesa Temple Visitors' Center |url=http://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-soares-dedicates-new-mesa-temple-visitors-center |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}} This redesign was tailored to fit the needs of the young adults in the area using several surveys and focus groups. This is the first visitors' center where all of the exhibits are in English and Spanish. The redesign includes kitchens, meditation pods, and gathering rooms. The center has exhibits that show the growth of the church in the White, Native American, and Hispanic communities while following the story of one of several people who belong to those communities. The center also has a scale model of the Mesa Arizona Temple, coloring walls, and a play area for children.

The visitors' center offers tours by missionaries in 10 languages.{{Cite web |title=Oakland Temple and Visitors Center {{!}} Oakland, CA |url=https://www.visitoakland.com/listing/oakland-temple-and-visitors-center/5804/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=www.visitoakland.com |language=en-us}} The temple and visitors' center is rated as Trip Advisor's best thing to do in Oakland.{{Cite web |title=Oakland Temple and Visitors Center {{!}} Oakland, CA |url=https://www.visitoakland.com/listing/oakland-temple-and-visitors-center/507/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=www.visitoakland.com |language=en-us}}

The Portland Oregon Temple Visitors' Center is the only one located in the Pacific Northwest. It is located in a former Distribution Center (which was closed due to the opening of a nearby Deseret Book). The center was opened in 2012 and features a small movie theater, a Christus statue replica, and four displays. It contains both interior and exterior restrooms.{{Cite web |title=Portland Temple Visitors' Center |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/locations/portland-temple-visitors-center?lang=eng |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

Every December, the center hosts multiple Christmas concerts throughout the month.

The Rome Italy Temple Visitors' Center sits on a 15 acre-lot that also includes the temple, meetinghouse, FHC, and gardens.{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Caleb |date=2018-03-29 |title=Open house and dedication announced for Rome Italy Temple |url=https://universe.byu.edu/2018/03/29/open-house-and-dedication-announced-for-rome-italy-temple/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=The Daily Universe |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Tempio di Roma |url=http://notizie.chiesadigesucristo.org/articolo/tempio-di-roma |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=notizie.chiesadigesucristo.org |language=it}}

One of the focal points of the center is a life size replica of the Christus, with the accompanying statues of the original apostles carved out of Carrara marble.{{Cite web |title=Get the first look at Latter-day Saints' new showcase temple in Rome |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/01/14/latter-day-saints-open/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}} This is the same marble used to create the Parthenon, Pietà, and David.{{Cite web |last1=Mikita |first1=Carole |last2=April 2 |first2=KSL-TV {{!}} Posted- |last3=A.m |first3=2019 at 9:13 |title=Ancient quarry provides marble for statues in Rome Italy Visitors Center |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/46523106/ancient-quarry-provides-marble-for-statues-in-rome-italy-visitors-center |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}} Behind the statues, Joseph Brickley painted a mural.{{Cite web |last1=Art |first1=Vescovo Buonarroti |last2=May 21 |first2=LLC {{!}} Posted- |last3=P.m |first3=2022 at 3:00 |title=Utah author shares his emotional journey of coming to know Christ in a new book |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50409228/utah-author-shares-his-emotional-journey-of-coming-to-know-christ-in-a-new-book |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}}

The dedication of the temple and the visitors' center was the first time in history that all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles were in the same place outside of the United States.{{Cite web |title=This week in Mormon Land: The Roman moment made history, but where were the women's leaders? |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/03/14/this-week-mormon-land/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Visitors' Center |url=https://tempiodiroma.org/visitors-center/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=TempioDiRoma.org |language=en-US}}

The São Paulo Brazil Temple Visitors' Center was the first in South America.{{Cite web |last=Kutschke |first=Lauren |date=2016-04-10 |title=Temple News & Updates – Week of April 3 |url=https://www.ldsdaily.com/world/temple-news-updates-week-april-3/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=LDS Daily |language=en-US}} It was converted from patron housing and opened in January 2019.{{Cite web |last=Redação |date=2019-01-20 |title=Centro de Visitantes de São Paulo é Dedicado em 20 de Janeiro – [vídeo, texto e fotos] |url=http://portalsud.com.br/newsmith/centro-de-visitantes-de-sao-paulo-e-dedicado-em-20-de-janeiro-video-texto-e-fotos/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=Portal Exaltação |language=pt-BR}} There are several exhibits, including one which chronicles the history of the church in Brazil.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=MásFe |date=2019-01-21 |title=Se dedica el Centro de Visitantes del Templo de São Paulo, Brasil |trans-title=Dedication of the São Paulo Brazil Temple Visitors Center |url=https://masfe.org/noticias/centro-de-visitantes-del-templo-de-sao-paulo-brasil/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=masfe.org |language=Spanish}} As in most temple visitors' centers there is a replica of Thorvaldsen's Christus.

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This is not a complete treatment of the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square. For more information see those pages.

In 1968, the North Visitors' Center was dedicated as part of efforts to make the area more appealing to visitors. It contained several murals and displays with its main attraction being a copy of Thorvaldsen's Christus in a rotunda painted with a mural of the universe by Sidney King.Church Information Service Report. (June 1966). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, available through L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library. Other murals included a reproduction and expansion of a mural depicting Christ's ministry from the New York World's Fair Mormon Pavilion by Sidney King.

In 1978, the Bureau of Information building was replaced by the South Visitors' Center.

In 2019, the Salt Lake Temple was closed for renovations. The new design was made to incorporate Temple Square and the Church Office Building plaza.{{Cite web |last=release |first=Church press |title=Temple Square Renovation Update: August 2022 |url=https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/temple-square-renovation-update-august-2022/article_8f1f81fa-90d5-5626-bf78-a169fe238002.html |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=The Victoria Advocate |language=en}} The area adjacent to the Church Office Building was designed to be a "contemplative garden space."{{Cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Carter |last2=Aug. 29 |first2=KSL com {{!}} Posted- |last3=P.m |first3=2022 at 3:10 |title=Crews reach 'key' phase in seismic upgrade of historic Salt Lake Temple |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50465819/crews-reach-key-phase-in-seismic-upgrade-of-historic-salt-lake-temple |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}}

File:Cristus Visitors Center St. George Utah Temple Visitors Center.jpg Visitors' Center]]

The St. George Utah Temple Visitors' Center is located to the southeast of the temple.{{Cite web |title=St. George Utah Temple Visitors' Center |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/locations/st-george-utah-temple-visitors-center?lang=eng |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

The Tokyo Japan Temple Visitors' Center opened January 5, 2022 as part of the temple's renovation which began in 2017.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-08 |title=KSL's Shara Park Visits Tokyo Japan Temple, Speaks With Local Church Members |url=https://ksltv.com/470251/ksls-shara-park-visits-tokyo-japan-temple-speaks-with-local-church-members/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=KSLTV.com}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-31 |title=Take a look inside the newly renovated Tokyo Japan Temple as public tours begin |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/5/31/23148374/tokyo-japan-temple-renovation-public-tours-open-house-rededication-lds-asia |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=News |first=Moroni Channel |date=2021-12-22 |title=Tokyo Temple Visitor Center to open its doors next year |url=https://www.moronichannel.org/newsroom/temples/new-tokyo-temple-visitor-center-set-to-open-its-doors/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=moronichannel.org |language=en-US}} The visitors center has two floors. The first floor gallery shows pictures of the inside of the temple and the second floor gallery is focused on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The annex that houses the visitors' center also contains a chapel, a mission office, and FHC.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-01 |title=Open house for Tokyo, Japan Temple begins this week |url=https://kslnewsradio.com/1969616/open-house-for-tokyo-japan-temple-begins-this-week/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=KSLNewsRadio}}

The Washington D.C. Temple Visitors' Center has interactive exhibits and a scale model of the temple.{{Cite web |last=Bleiberg |first=Larry |date=2022-05-17 |title=You Can Finally Look Inside This Stunning D.C. Landmark. But Only for Another 25 Days |url=https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/washington-dc/experiences/news/washington-d-cs-mormon-temple-reopens-for-tours-for-the-first-time-in-50-years |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=Fodors Travel Guide |language=en-US}}

This is a list of all the church historic site visitors' centers.

The Church History Centre and Museum was built as part of renovations during the closure of the Church College of New Zealand.

The Hyde Park Chapel in London is a chapel that also features a visitors' center.

The Park City Family Tree Center was located on 531 Main St in Park City, Utah. It opened as an amenity for the 2002 Winter Olympics and stayed open to serve the community around the Sundance Film Festival every January. It had a full-sized realistic tree with computer workstations. The center closed in 2018.{{Cite web |title=Mormon church closing its genealogy center on Park City's historic Main Street |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2018/01/30/mormon-church-closing-its-genealogy-center-on-park-citys-historic-main-street/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}} The church sold the property for $2.6 million in 2021.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-08 |title=New report shows LDS Church in 2020 owned more than 12,000 acres in Wasatch, Summit counties |url=https://www.kpcw.org/summit-county/2022-04-08/new-report-shows-lds-church-in-2020-owned-more-than-12-000-acres-in-wasatch-summit-counties |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=KPCW |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hamburger |first=Jay |title=Mormon Church reaches agreement to sell building on Main Street in Park City |url=https://www.parkrecord.com/news/park-city/mormon-church-reaches-agreement-to-sell-building-on-main-street-in-park-city/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=www.parkrecord.com |language=en-US}}

• 1923 Pamphlet showing Temple Square
• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/locations/visitors-centers?lang=eng An Official List of Visitors' Centers with Addresses and Information]
• [https://ensignpeakfoundation.org/sites-registry-2/ Ensign Peak Foundation list of Historic Sites]

Category:Religious buildings and structures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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