Salt Lake Temple renovations delayed, projected to be complete in '26

• The revamp originally was planned to take four years, but in 2021, church leaders said the project would be delayed, with an expected completion date in 2025.

Why it matters: Temple Square is one of the most-visited destinations in Utah, welcoming between 3 and 5 million visitors each year before its closure, according to Visit Salt Lake.

• The upgrades also aim to make Temple Square more accessible to people with disabilities.

What they're saying: Construction "of the iconic Salt Lake Temple continues at a deliberate and measured pace," the church said in a news release. "However, when working with historic structures such as this pioneer-era temple, unexpected challenges are inevitable."

What's next: Projects on the northwest corner of Temple Square will be finished in early fall, per the church.

• The final completion date and the Salt Lake Temple's open house schedule have yet to be announced.

Flashback: Shortly after renovations began, a golden trumpet — part of the temple's Angel Moroni statue — fell off when a 5.7-magnitude earthquake shook Salt Lake City in 2020.