Lessons of 2026
Lesson No. Forty-One

Celebrating the Salt Lake Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in preparation for the rededication of the Salt Lake Temple will be hosting a six month long celebration, from April to October 2027. It is expected that approximately 5 million world-wide visitors will tour the temple. In this celebration the Church has several important messages it wants the world to understand:

The world needs to understand that in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian Church where Jesus Christ is at the center of our worship. The Church’s purpose is to help its members become more devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. The Visitor Center’s art focuses on Jesus Christ. A Christus is in front of windows that frame the Salt Lake Temple. This powerfully shows that Jesus Christ is central to our worship and to the temple. The Christus emphasizes our belief in the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ by clearly depicting the wounds in His hands and feet and side. There is statue of Christ carrying His Cross. This emphasizes our belief the He died to atone for our individual sins.

We believe Jesus Christ is central to the plan of salvation. Without the atonement the plan of salvation would only be a plan. The atonement puts the plan of salvation into operation, and makes it all possible.

We believe Jesus Christ is the Creator of an infinite number of worlds – “And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:33). In the scriptures infinite is “innumerable …unto man; but… numbered unto [God]”(Moses 1:35).

We believe Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of those same worlds – The Lord gave the Prophet Joseph Smith a vision concerning the infinite nature of Jesus’ atonement:

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22-24).

The last phrase of this scripture reads “the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (emphasis added). The word “unto” is significant. The word is not “of” but rather it is “unto”. We are all begotten sons and daughters of God. The word “unto” implies more. It means bringing us unto the Father through the atonement of Jesus Christ. In other words, through our Savior, the inhabitants of all of Father’s worlds have the opportunity to be brought back to the Father and with him enjoy eternal life and exaltation. Thus, “begotten sons and daughters unto God” is another term for exaltation.

The world needs to understand the temple is the center of our worship of Jesus Christ. The Visitor Center opens the doors of the temple to the world. Visitors walk through replicas of the main rooms of the temple where recommend holding members go to do sacred ordinances including baptism and marriage for time and all eternity. A cutaway model also shows the interior of the temple including the fourth floor meeting rooms where the First Presidency and the Quorum of Twelve Apostles meet. It shows the fifth floor assembly room, holding over 2,000 people, were temple devotionals are held.

The world needs to understand the importance of eternal marriage and families. The Visitor Center has a replica of a sealing room. This gives an opportunity to explain our belief that marriage between a man and a woman, along with their family, can be eternal. Not only is marriage and family eternal, but this ordinance seals and makes eternal all other ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It opens the door for the greatest of all blessings, to be part of the family of God.

Testimony. The Christus is a powerful reminder of what I know to be true but can only begin to grasp – that He is the Creator and Redeemer of infinite worlds. An even greater wonder is that He knows and loves us individually, and invites us to “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28).

“And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him” (D&C 84:37-38).

Released on November 8th. 2026.