The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a major change to its missionary work at one of its most iconic sites—Temple Square in Salt Lake City. After more than 30 years, the Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission will officially be dissolved in July 2026. This move is part of the Church’s effort to improve the visitor experience and expand missionary opportunities in new ways.
Why the Temple Square Mission is Being Discontinued
Temple Square is one of the most visited religious landmarks in the United States, attracting millions of people from around the world each year. Since its official organization in 1995, the Temple Square Mission has focused on guiding visitors, offering tours, and sharing the gospel. However, starting mid-2026, the Church will shift to a new model that allows for more flexibility and a better experience for guests.
According to a Church news release, this decision aims to:
- Enhance the guest experience at Temple Square
- Increase opportunities for missionaries to teach in other areas
- Create a more flexible system for handling large visitor events and quieter periods
What Will Change for Missionaries
The change doesn’t mean the end of missionary work on Temple Square. In fact, sister missionaries will continue to serve at the site. But instead of being assigned to a mission that only covers Temple Square, they’ll now come from surrounding missions.
Here’s how the new setup will work:
- Missionaries will split their time between their assigned teaching areas and Temple Square.
- Returned missionaries will be hired as part-time guides to assist with tours and improve visitor interactions.
- This model is already being used successfully at other temple visitor centers around the world.
The Church believes this new approach will make missionary efforts more effective and allow them to be available when visitor numbers are high—like during holidays, general conferences, or future open houses.
A Look Back at Temple Square’s Missionary History
While the official Temple Square Mission began in 1995, the history of missionary work at the site goes back over 100 years:
- In 1922, volunteers started offering tours at Temple Square.
- By the 1980s, full-time missionaries were regularly guiding guests.
- In the 1970s, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, now a senior leader in the Church, served as a part-time guide while he was a college student.
In the recent announcement, Elder Rasband praised the service of sister missionaries and noted that their work has always played an important role in sharing the message of Jesus Christ.
“Moving forward, the dedicated service of sister missionaries will continue to be a blessing and allow Temple Square to be a place of inspiration for people of all faiths and backgrounds,” he said.
Preparing for Temple Square’s Future
Temple Square has been under major renovation since 2020, and the transformation is nearly complete. Once the Salt Lake Temple renovation wraps up later this year, the Church is planning a public open house in 2027, expected to run for six months. This event is likely to draw large crowds from around the world, and the updated missionary model will help meet that demand.
More guides, including returned missionaries working part-time, will be available to ensure a smooth and inspiring experience for every visitor.
What This Means for Visitors and the Church
Though the Temple Square Mission is ending, the work will continue in a new form—more flexible, more responsive, and better suited to the modern needs of the Church and its visitors.
This shift shows how the Church is adapting its missionary efforts to focus not just on tradition, but also on improving real experiences for those who come to learn and feel inspired. And even as one era comes to a close, a new chapter is opening that promises to keep Temple Square as a central, welcoming place for people from all walks of life.
