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Construction workers secure the angel Moroni prior to lifting the statue to the top of the central east spire of the Salt Lake Temple in Temple Square on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. This house of the Lord has been undergoing a major seismic and foundational upgrade since the beginning of 2020.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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Construction workers place the angel Moroni to the top of the central east spire of the Salt Lake Temple in Temple Square on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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Missionaries from the Temple Square Mission watch as the angel Moroni was placed on top of the central east spire of the Salt Lake Temple in Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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A group of artists and craftsmen from Historical Arts & Casting gather at a warehouse for the unpacking of the angel Moroni in West Jordan on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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As the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to undergo renovations, the angel Moroni has returned to the holy building after it was removed four years ago.

Crews replaced the gilded statue on the temple’s central east spire Tuesday morning during a small gathering at Temple Square.

The removal of the gold statute was planned but was moved ahead of schedule when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake in March 2020 caused the trumpet to fall off and result in other minor damages. The statute was removed in May of that year.

According to the Deseret News, the statute was placed in storage after it was removed and some refurbishing was done, such as removing rust and improving the trumpet’s attachment to prevent it from falling off again.

In a press release from the church, Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé said, “An important part of this project has been to strengthen the foundation of the temple. President Russell M. Nelson spoke to the world about the need to fortify our spiritual foundations in 2021 when he reminded us of the sacred use of the house of the Lord.”

The Salt Lake Temple has been undergoing major renovations, including foundational improvements and seismic upgrades. The renovations are anticipated to be completed in 2026.

In February, the final steel pyramid was placed back on the temple four years after the building’s spires had first been removed for refurbishing as part of the renovations.

Much of the surrounding areas on Temple Square also have undergone renovations, with some plaza areas reopening in January. The Assembly Hall will remain closed until 2026 and the Lion House and Beehive House also are facing renovation.

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