Outside of many ward houses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a sign reads "Visitors Welcome."

Now, after extensive renovations, the church can post that sign outside its two visitors centers on Temple Square.

"It was time to freshen things up," said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve. "And the project has been under way for a long time."

After many weeks of work, the centers will officially open to the public Friday, Oct. 5, at 9 a.m., then remain open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

The "new and improved" versions will focus on five areas of interest, says Stephen B. Allen, managing director of the Missionary Department.

The north visitors center will deal with the life and teachings of Jesus, scriptures and revelations and service to others. The south center will offer information on the building of the Salt Lake Temple and temples in general, as well as information on families.

The famous Christus statue has remained virtually untouched, though it now shares "crown jewel" honors with a stunning vista of the temple itself from the grand new windows in the south center. There, the range and scope of the church's ministry may best be seen as quaint kiosks, in the shape of large play houses and equipped with video monitors, that show video clips of children, while —to the north — the spires of the temple stand in solemn grandeur.

When asked if the new vista of the temple will serve as a backdrop for meetings and other gatherings, Elder Oaks said, "This is a place for worship and contemplation. There are other places for meetings."

Visitors first began visiting Temple Square in 1875, a good 18 years before the temple itself was completed. The first official center was constructed in 1902. Today, Temple Square welcomes 5 million visitors a year and provides the public with 200 missionary guides from 40 countries speaking 35 languages.

When asked if recent events in New York and Washington, D.C., have created added concerns about security, Elder Oaks replied, "Everyone is more concerned with security now, but it's not going to interfere with us doing our job."

One impressive feature of the new centers is the storehouse of information available for tourists. There are 35 interactive kiosks and many historical and spiritual displays complete with texts. There are life-size replicas of Isaiah, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other spiritual figures as well as diorama depictions of events ancient and modern.

Elder Oaks stressed that the new open plaza east of the temple creates new access to the south visitors center, which means it will now assume a more prominent role.

There will be no public re-dedication of the facilities.