Angel Moroni returns to the top of Salt Lake Temple spire after a four-year absence

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The angel Moroni was placed back onto his spot at the top of the central east spire of the Salt Lake Temple on Tuesday morning, April 2, marking a significant step toward the completion of the temple renovations.

Moroni, according to the Book of Mormon, was a prophet who played a significant role in the life of Joseph Smith, the first prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Church officials said the placement of a statue of Moroni blowing a trumpet atop many temples is a symbol of the Church’s mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

The statue on top of the Salt Lake Temple was removed from its perch in May 2020 as part of the years-long structural and seismic renovation. The Church said Moroni’s return to the top of the temple is a “notable milestone” toward the completion of the renovations.

Quinton Hunt, a member of the Church who watched as crews placed Moroni back on the spire, said it was something she had been waiting for. She said she had been watching the temple construction every day as she works nearby.

“I’m more happy that they put [the Moroni statue] back to the top where it belongs,” said Hunt. “It gives us hope that the temple will be open soon.

The temple renovation project started back in 2019 and was originally scheduled for a 2025 completion date. However, some “unexpected challenges” on the pioneer-era structure pushed back the completion date to 2026.

Once completed, the extensive renovations will provide several quality-of-life updates to the temple grounds as well as protect the temple from potentially damaging earthquakes. In Spring 2023, the first of 98 isolators were installed beneath the temple, allowing for the structure to move five feet in any direction during an earthquake.

Earlier this year several plazas reopened surrounding Temple Square, including the plaza by the Church Office Building as well as the north part of the Main Street Plaza. The plaza renovations include newly installed waterproofing and snow-melting heating conduits as well as a 92-flag pole art installation.

Church officials said work on other areas of the Temple Square grounds continues, including the Assembly Hall and its surrounding gardens.

The Assembly Hall, which was completed in 1882, will undergo structural repairs and mechanical improvements. In addition, work to renovate the Beehive and Lion Houses has already begun. New landscaping will be planted to include drug-resistant plants and water-wise irrigation.

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