SALT LAKE CITY-Thursday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave a report on the progress of its temple at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City.

May 3, the first base isolator was placed on the new footing on the west side of the temple. The new footings surround the towers on the east and west ends of the temple. They extend down 35 feet and away from the original structure. This is the first of 98 isolators.

The installation of isolators will allow the temple to move horizontally up to five feet in any direction during an earthquake.

As of June 1, a newly completed portion of the plaza south of the Church Office Building will be opened during regular Temple Square hours (presently 9:00 am-9:00 pm) and accessible from the west side of State Street in downtown Salt Lake City. There will also be an open walkway between The Church Administration Building and The Lion House.

Upon the plaza’s full reopening, 91 international flags will be displayed. They are representative of the Church’s global growth.

Construction is continuing on the plaza areas between The Joseph Smith Memorial Building and The Church Administration Building. It also ensues on the Main Street Plaza and the west half of the plaza near The Church Office Building. This area is expected to be completed at the end of 2023.