Tourists looking for a bargain can find a bonanza in downtown Salt Lake City. Within two or three blocks of Temple Square are numerous Church sites that tourists may visit, all free of charge. The sites not only offer a view of Church history, but also a panorama of the Church today.

Following are brief descriptions of Church sites individuals, families or groups can take in on a walking tour of Salt Lake City:Church Office Building

A good place to begin the walking tour of Salt Lake City is the Church Office Building. Opened in 1975, the 28-story building houses the general offices of the Church. Among particular points of interests to the public is the Church Historical Library on the main floor. Many tourists also enjoy the 26th floor's observation deck, which provides a panoramic view of the Salt Lake Valley.

Public tours of the Church Office Building are available daily from 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays from April to October; and the same hours Mondays through Fridays from October through March.

Relief Society Building

Located just west of the Church Office Building, the Relief Society Building was dedicated in 1956. The building houses the general offices of the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary. A resource center on the lower level features displays, photographs or materials from which priesthood and auxiliary leaders might glean ideas for implementation in their local units. Hostesses are available to answer questions.

Temple Square

The site was chosen by President Brigham Young in July 1847 as the future location of the Salt Lake Temple, which now towers above the landscaped lawns and gardens of Temple Square.

Just west of the temple is the Salt Lake Tabernacle, home of the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which is one of the main attractions for visitors to Utah. Housed in the Tabernacle is its famous 12,000-pipe organ.

Two visitors centers accommodate millions of visitors to Temple Square each year. Located in the North Visitors Center is a reproduction of Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus statue. Among features of the South Visitors Center are displays on the Book of Mormon and a replica of a temple baptismal font. Other attractions on Temple Square include the Assembly Hall and several statues and monuments commemorating people or events in early Church history. (See April 4, 1992, Church News for more information on the monuments.)

Temple Square is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. June through August, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. September through May. Daily free tours are offered, and all organ recitals, Tabernacle Choir rehearsals, and the Sunday morning broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word" are open to the public. The Temple Square Concert Series presents free evening concerts in the Assembly Hall. Schedules of these events are provided at information desks in the visitors centers.

Museum of Church History and Art

Even before entering the Museum of Church History and Art, visitors are introduced to early Church history as many such scenes are featured on the facade of the building, which opened in April 1984.

The museum collects and interpretatively exhibits artifacts, documents and art reflecting Latter-day Saint history and beliefs. One of the more well-known historical exhibits is "A Covenant Restored: The Foundations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." In this gallery are 320 artifacts, 90 documents and 30 works of art.

The museum is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays; and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and some holidays.

Family History Library

Opened in October 1985, the five-floor Family History Library is equipped with computers, microfiche, microfilm reading machines, and an international collection of genealogical records. According to a pamphlet from the information desk here, "The library houses the world's largest collection of genealogical records."

The library is open Mondays, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. No fees are charged to use the collection.

Brigham Young Monument

Located in the center of the intersection of Main Street and South Temple is a monument to Brigham Young, the second president of the Church and the first territorial governor of Utah. The bronze statue was sculpted by Mahonri Young, President Young's grandson, and was originally placed on Temple Square. Also featured on the monument are statues, sculpted by Cyrus E. Dallin, commemorating fur trappers, Utah Indians, and the 148 original Mormons pioneers who entered the valley on July 24, 1847.

Hotel Utah

Once entitled by Hotel Monthly Magazine as a "nobel white palace," the Hotel Utah, east of Temple Square, opened for business in June 1911. The hotel closed in August 1987, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Church is currently converting the edifice to an office building for Church facilities and for a meetinghouse.

Plans are that the hotel's foyer will be restored to its original state, and a theater is to be added which will feature a new film on the Mormon trek to Utah.

Church Administration Building

Completed in October 1917 during the administration of President Joseph F. Smith, the Church Administration Building houses the offices of the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and other General Authorities.

The Church Administration Building is not opened to public tours.

Lion House

President Young died here on Aug. 29, 1877. This house, which gets its name from a stone lion perched above the front entrance, was built between 1855-1856 as a supplementary residence for President Young and his family. The building is currently used as a public social center with facilities to accommodate receptions and large banquets.

Beehive House

The Beehive House was the official residence of President Young from its completion in 1854 until his death in 1877. The home received its name from the beehive - considered a symbol of industry. The home is a National Historic Landmark and has been restored with furnishings reflecting the period when President Young lived here, and with furnishings from the 1880s. The Beehive House was also the home of Presidents Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith, who both died here.

An annex connecting the Beehive House with the Lion House was built in 1852. This structure once housed President Young's offices, which he used as the executive offices of the territory of Utah until 1855. The extension was then used for Church offices until the Administration Building was completed in 1917.

Visitors are welcome for free tours Mondays through Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Weekday summer hours are extended to 6:30 p.m.

Eagle Gate

The Eagle Gate was erected in 1859 to mark the entrance to President Young's property at the mouth to City Creek Canyon, which is now north State Street. The original 22-foot gate has undergone three alterations and is now 76 feet wide, topped by a 6,000-pound copper eagle with a 20-foot wingspan. A wooden eagle, carved by Ralph Ramsey as an emblem of strength, patriotism and integrity, originally adorned the gate.

Brigham Young Cemetery and Memorial

In this small hiatus amid apartments buildings are the graves of President Young, several members of his family and Eliza R. Snow. The Mormon Pioneer Memorial Monument, "All Is Well," created by Edward J. Fraughton, greets visitors to this plot. Also included at this location are monuments to Sister Snow, and William Clayton, who wrote the hymn, "Come, Come, Ye Saints."

Social Hall Memorial

This memorial houses the foundation of the old pioneer Social Hall, which was erected in 1852 and was the first theater west of the Missouri River. The building was demolished in 1922. The new glass edifice was dedicated June 9, and also provides access to an underground walkway under State Street between South Temple and 100 South. (See June 13, 1992, Church News.)

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