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Think Celestial Room? President Russell M. Nelson’s 6 Years Steering the Salt Lake Temple Renovation

Two recent images related to the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple were excellent visuals that herald the colossal project’s acceleration toward an epic finish — a six-month open house in 2027.

The first photograph was the most recent image of President Russell M. Nelson, who is seen sitting at a table in his office holding a rendering of what the celestial room will look like when the seismic upgrade and other work is done.

The second photo shows the intricate craftmanship along a ceiling in the celestial room, which is meant to be a representation of the peace and light of heaven. Members of The Church of Jesus Latter-day Saints believe the Celestial Kingdom is a part of heaven where people may live forever with their families in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The sights in those photographs contrast starkly with 2021 photos of President Nelson walking through the celestial room with Sister Wendy Nelson after the temple was decommissioned and emptied out for the renovation.

The original pioneer craftmanship remained on the walls — they are being preserved and refreshed — but the floor was barren and the stairs leading to adjacent sealing rooms were seen stripped to wood and studs.

President Nelson announced the renovation in May 2019. For the past six years, he has steadily guided the project, leaders say, adapting when the work exposed unexpected obstacles that expanded the original timeline from four years to six.

The church president also has employed it as a metaphor on a regular basis.

For example, he used his tour of the temple renovation in 2021 — and video and photos of the tour — to augment his October 2021 general conference talk about strengthening both temple and spiritual foundations.

In 2023, after he suffered a fall that prevented him from attending general conference in person, he encouraged Latter-day Saints in a video message to attend temples regularly and to adopt a celestial perspective in their lives.

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Behind the Scenes

President Russell M. Nelson holds a rendering of the Salt Lake Temple celestial room. The photo was taken on January 30, 2025. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson tour the renovation work at the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 22, 2021. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

Intricate details of the ceiling in the celestial room of the Salt Lake Temple on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

A rendering of the celestial room in the renovated Salt Lake Temple. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)