'Rejoice in Christ': Salt Lake Temple Celebration Welcomes the World

Reservations open as Church leaders invite people everywhere to participate in person and online in 2027

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday invited people around the world to participate in the 2027 Salt Lake Temple Celebration, announcing the event's theme, "Rejoice in Christ," and opening reservations for tours of the renovated Salt Lake Temple.

Church leaders, community representatives and guests gathered at the new West Temple Entrance Building on Temple Square on Tuesday morning for a media event focused on the celebration, its worldwide reach and the multiple opportunities to participate in person and online.

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global church with a universal message of Jesus Christ in which we rejoice," said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, chair of the Salt Lake Temple Executive Committee. "We're so grateful that we're here in a community where we're welcome. We invite you to come and see and love Jesus Christ and the people who come here."

The theme, "Rejoice in Christ," reflects the purpose of both the temple and the celebration. Church leaders said the six-month celebration (April 5–October 1, 2027) will center on Jesus Christ and invite visitors to learn more about His teachings, His gospel and His role in God's plan for His children.

President Uchtdorf noted that the invitation to rejoice in Christ extends beyond Temple Square. Referencing those suffering in Nepal and elsewhere around the world, he said followers of Jesus Christ seek to serve, pray for and bless others regardless of nationality, faith or circumstance.

"This is the reason why we rejoice in Christ," he said. "It's independent of which faith we have, which color we have, which language we speak, which socioeconomic background we have. In Jesus Christ, we unite in this wonderful time of rejoicing in Him."

The same phrase, "Rejoice in Christ," has also been selected as the Church's 2027 youth theme, creating an additional opportunity for young people around the world to focus on the Savior throughout the year.

Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women General President, noted that "Rejoice in Christ" comes from Philippians 4:4. She said the shared theme will help connect youth to both the Salt Lake Temple Celebration and the blessings of temple worship anywhere in the world.

"'I just love this thought of the youth all over the world rejoicing in all that we know about the house of the lord and the blessings that come from that knowledge," President Freeman said. "This will be a year of hallelujah. This will be a year of hosanna. This will be a year of rejoicing for us. I love that the youth will be part of that great year of rejoicing."

The temple celebration comes during a historic period of temple building for the Church around the world. In recent weeks, President Dallin H. Oaks dedicated the Belo Horizonte Brazil Temple, while visitors in Cambodia toured the Phnom Penh Cambodia Temple during its public open house. The Salt Lake Temple Celebration is part of a worldwide effort to help people better understand the purpose of temples and the role they play in drawing individuals and families to Jesus Christ. See the complete list of temples.

Other members of the Salt Lake Temple Executive Committee present for Tuesday's announcement were Elders Quentin L. Cook and Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson.

They emphasized that the Salt Lake Temple Celebration is a global event for everyone, regardless of faith tradition or background. Whether guests are longtime friends of the Church, first-time visitors to Temple Square or participating virtually from other parts of the world, all are invited to experience the temple and its message of faith, hope and belonging. 

"We hope you will come and learn more about us," said President Johnson. "We hope you understand in a more complete way why we build houses of the Lord all over the world, what our intention is, that people will have a greater understanding of what motivates us — our love for God and our love for our neighbors. And importantly, I hope people will feel something. They'll feel that peace and love and help that Jesus Christ offers."

The announcement event offered the first look at new art glass depicting the Savior's Book of Mormon invitation to "behold your little ones" (3 Nephi 17:23). In this setting, Primary General President Rosemary K. Chibota spoke about the role of children and youth in the celebration. The leader of the Church's global program for children encouraged youth to learn about temples, ask questions, invite others to participate and draw closer to Jesus Christ.

"This is more than touring a building — a remarkable building," President Chibota said. "It is about coming closer to Jesus Christ. It is about feeling God's love for us and remembering that all of us are beloved children of our Heavenly Father."

After her remarks, a children's choir performed the well-known hymn "I Love to See the Temple."

Utah Governor Spencer Cox was also present for the announcement and welcomed the opportunity to host visitors from around the world, highlighting the Salt Lake Temple's significance to Utah's history and identity. He also noted the contributions of Church members whose faith, service and community involvement continue to shape the state.

"We are so grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their efforts in preserving this building," Governor Cox said. "[It is] one of the top tourist attractions in the state of Utah, one of the top tourist attractions anywhere in the United States."

He said the state expects millions of people to tour the temple in 2027. He noted that visitors will have an opportunity to learn about Utah's history and heritage while participating in the celebration.

"Thank you for giving the world this opportunity," the governor said. "We look forward to sharing it with you."

In addition to the temple open house, the Salt Lake Temple Celebration will feature exhibits, films, live music, visual arts, family history opportunities and other activities across Temple Square. Visitors will be able to explore the story of the temple's extensive renovation, learn about the sacred purpose of temples and participate in experiences designed for individuals and families of all ages.

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SOURCE The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints