The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched a new app to help millions navigate Temple Square, a landmark that has undergone significant renovations for nearly 6½ years.
The new Temple Square app, available on Apple and Android since mid-April, enables users to explore the five-block square’s events and exhibits and easily plan and manage their visit and reservations.
It also enables users to navigate the renovated Temple Square, located at the heart of Salt Lake City, with an interactive map and AI support.
Here’s an overview on how to use the new app’s key features.
Explore events, tours, landmarks and exhibits
The Temple Square app is organized into three main sections, which can be navigated to and from using the menu bar found at the bottom of the screen.
The first section, “Explore,” invites users to scout potential places to visit during their time at Temple Square.
Near the top, users can search for specific places to visit, or they can scroll horizontally through the categories listed below the search bar. These categories include: “For You,” “Events,” “Tours,” “Exhibits,” “Activities” and “Landmarks.”
From there, users can add places to their plans and itinerary using the “+” icon. They can also click on a place and add it to their plans by selecting “Add to My Visit.”
Clicking on a place also enables users to find additional information, as well as the place’s address and hours of operation.
Also on the “Explore” page, users can find a list of popular experiences, which they can sort through using filters, such as “Artwork,” “History,” “Gardens/Nature,” “Child-focused” and “Quiet Space.”
Try AI support
Help from artificial intelligence is available in each of the app’s three main sections.
To access it, users must simply scroll up to make sure the small star icon appears at the bottom right corner of the screen.
Selecting the icon will then open a window where users will be able to explore FAQs or ask AI what they are looking for.
Plan your visit
The app’s second main section, titled “My Visit,” is where users will be able to find each place they add to their itinerary.
This section is also where users will be able to find their existing tickets or reservations to ticketed events such as “Music & the Spoken Word” and the new “Inside a Temple” tour found inside the Temple Square Visitors’ Center.
Users can organize their itineraries on “My Visit” by clicking on “My Itinerary” (near the top of the page) and selecting either “Shortest Duration” or “Longest Duration” to organize their itinerary accordingly.
They may also personally organize their itineraries by selecting “Reorder” (near the top of the page) and then dragging each place into their desired spot in the itinerary.
To remove a place from the itinerary, users must simply click on the “x” icon.
Access a 3D Temple Square map
The app’s “Map” section is set up to function very similarly to Google or Apple maps.
At the top, users will see a search bar. They will also see a small filter icon in the top right corner that will enable them to filter their map by “Building,” “Food Beverages” and “Landmark.”
Selecting a place and then clicking “Directions” will help users find the best route to their desired destination. It will also give users the option to select “Avoid Stairs” for greater accessibility.
To see an overview of Temple Square, users should click the refresh or circular arrow icon near the middle right of the screen. Users may also click the arrow icon at the right of the screen to find their own location in reference to Temple Square.
Log in and personalize the app
App users may choose to sign in to the Temple Square app using their Church Account or a Google or Apple account.
Signing into the app will enable users to save the places they’d like to explore on Temple Square, but most of the app’s features are available without signing in.
To sign in, users must navigate to the “Explore” section and select the person icon found at the top right corner of the page.
From there, users will find the option to “Sign In,” as well as other options to personalize the app or adjust general settings.
The app is currently only available in English, but will soon be available in additional languages.
