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Crews have installed a new statue at Temple Square, Salt Lake City, titled “Five Wise Virgins.” Part of the renovation efforts at the religious site, the Relief Society General Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently presented this sculpture. It is situated near the Relief Society building and marks the first statue on the east side, being the seventh overall at Church headquarters.
The unveiling event, which took place on April 2, included the participation of Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, and Camille N. Johnson, the Relief Society General President. Both discussed the significance of the new art piece.
Crafted by Utah-based artist Ben Hammond, known for his works focusing on women, the “Five Wise Virgins” statue portrays women of various ethnicities and ages, emphasizing their devotion to Jesus Christ. The depiction draws from the Parable of the Ten Virgins found in the Bible, illustrating the importance of spiritual preparation by “keeping oil in our lamps.”
The statue accompanies three recent additions on the west side of Temple Square: “Joseph Receives the Plates,” “The First Vision,” and “Come, Follow Me.” Other statues such as the Priesthood Restoration statues and the Seagull monument have also been restored and reinstated.
Plans for further expansions on Temple Square include additional statues centered on Christ’s ministry and the gospel restoration. The ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple is aimed at completion by 2026. An open house for the newly renovated grounds is slated for April 2027 to October 2027. In anticipation, President Russell M. Nelson expressed, “We warmly invite our friends to come and learn about God’s plan for His children and rejoice in the love of Jesus Christ.”
Further details about renovation progress and the upcoming open house can be accessed through the Temple Square website.
