Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Church History Library
Headquarters of the Global Church Archives
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Church History Library
Exterior of the Church History Library at night.Church History Library (Building : 2005- : Salt Lake City)
Guests can check in at the Church History Library foyer to get started with their experience at the library.Church History Library (Building : 2005- : Salt Lake City)
The Public Stacks are the main area of the library where guests can view library resources and get started on their research.Church History Library (Building : 2005- : Salt Lake City)
Public displays house items from our collection that are foundational to the history of Christ’s Restored Church.Church History Library: Patron Services
In the Reading Room, guests can access original books and documents in a controlled environment. Registration is required to access these items.Church History Library
Computers are available for guests to access items in our digital collection.Church History Customer Service Modules
Thousands of books and periodicals are available for guests to view in the public stacks.Church History Library: Patron Services
Research areas are provided for guests to have space to work on their projects.Library Services
The Church History Library is open to the public and welcomes researchers, historians, genealogists, and curious visitors. Guests can explore digitized collections online or schedule appointments to access physical materials in the Reading Room through our Ask Us service. The Discovery Area features reference materials, computers, and expert staff ready to assist with research inquiries.
Ask research questions, request access to a collection, and more.
Register online using a Church Account, watch a short video, and complete a simple form to access rare materials and digitized collections.
Get answers to some of the most common questions about how the Church History Library operates and the services it provides.
Prepare for your visit by understanding guidelines for using materials, handling rare items, and maintaining a reverent environment that helps to preserve these records.
Exhibits
Exhibits
The Church History Library houses several ongoing exhibits to help guests become more familiar with what’s available in the collection and share with them the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The following exhibits are currently on display.
Foundations of Faith
The items in this exhibit are priceless foundational records from the Church’s history that document its Restoration and growth throughout the earth. Among the records you will see here are early editions of modern scripture, personal records of modern prophets, and evidence of key developments in Church doctrine and organization.
Many of the current and past items from “Foundations of Faith” have been digitized andare viewable online ; for example, see the Book of Mormon printer’s manuscript from 1829 .
View the Exhibit Online
My Ancestor in Church History
This exhibit is a digital touchscreen that allows users to sign in with a FamilySearch account and see how their ancestors were involved in the early history of the Church.
View the Experience Online
Foundations of Faith
The items in this exhibit are priceless foundational records from the Church’s history that document its Restoration and growth throughout the earth. Among the records you will see here are early editions of modern scripture, personal records of modern prophets, and evidence of key developments in Church doctrine and organization.
Many of the current and past items from “Foundations of Faith” have been digitized and
My Ancestor in Church History
This exhibit is a digital touchscreen that allows users to sign in with a FamilySearch account and see how their ancestors were involved in the early history of the Church.
Group Presentations
Group Presentations
The Church History Library offers two group presentations that highlight our collections and the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All presentations are free and last approximately 45 minutes, including an interactive question-and-answer session. These presentations are available during the library’s open hours.
To see group presentations that are currently available and to make a reservation, view the list below.
For questions about group presentations, please contact us atlibrarypresentation@churchofjesuschrist.org .
Updates regarding the availability of these presentations in the future will be communicated on this page and via the Church History LibraryFacebook page
.
“The First Vision”
Learn more about what the First Vision meant to Joseph Smith—and what it still means for us 200 years later. This presentation introduces Joseph Smith’s several accounts of his experience, together with records from people who heard him bear his prophetic witness of Jesus Christ and God the Father. You will also discuss ways to address common questions about the First Vision and Joseph Smith.
Schedule
“A New Look at the Book of Mormon Translation”
This presentation shares fascinating details about the translation of the Book of Mormon and how its story has been represented throughout the history of the restored Church. For example, you will learn about the process Joseph Smith followed while translating from the gold plates, then examine instances when the seer stones, Urim and Thummim, and the lost 116 pages have appeared in scripture, history, and art.
Schedule
To see group presentations that are currently available and to make a reservation, view the list below.
For questions about group presentations, please contact us at
Updates regarding the availability of these presentations in the future will be communicated on this page and via the Church History Library
“The First Vision”
Learn more about what the First Vision meant to Joseph Smith—and what it still means for us 200 years later. This presentation introduces Joseph Smith’s several accounts of his experience, together with records from people who heard him bear his prophetic witness of Jesus Christ and God the Father. You will also discuss ways to address common questions about the First Vision and Joseph Smith.
“A New Look at the Book of Mormon Translation”
This presentation shares fascinating details about the translation of the Book of Mormon and how its story has been represented throughout the history of the restored Church. For example, you will learn about the process Joseph Smith followed while translating from the gold plates, then examine instances when the seer stones, Urim and Thummim, and the lost 116 pages have appeared in scripture, history, and art.
Gifts and Donations
Gifts and Donations
As part of its mission, the Church History Department selectively acquires documents, diaries, letters, photographs, books, and artifacts from all over the world that have historical significance to the Church. If you have such materials that you are willing to donate to the Church’s archives, we may be interested in them. Please contact our acquisitions specialists by calling 1-801-240-5696 or using our online contact form .
Please discuss your potential donation with our acquisition specialists before bringing your materials to the Church History Library or one of our international locations. The specialist will work with you to accept your items; they can also offer alternatives for preserving your records should they fall outside our collecting guidelines
Please discuss your potential donation with our acquisition specialists before bringing your materials to the Church History Library or one of our international locations. The specialist will work with you to accept your items; they can also offer alternatives for preserving your records should they fall outside our collecting guidelines
Closures
Closures
The library will be closed during the following holidays and events:
- General Conference—Saturday, April 4, 2026
- Memorial Day—Monday, May 25, 2026
- Juneteenth—Friday, June 19, 2026
- Independence Day—Friday–Saturday, July 3–4, 2026
- Pioneer Day—Friday–Saturday, July 24–25, 2026
- Labor Day—Monday, September 7, 2026
- General Conference—Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Thanksgiving—Thursday–Saturday, November 26–28, 2026
- Christmas—Thursday–Saturday, December 24–26, 2026
- New Year’s—Thursday–Saturday, December 31, 2025–January 2, 2027
Parking
Parking
The Church History Library is located north of the Church Office Building and east of the Conference Center. Parking is available at the Conference Center parking facility, accessible from West Temple. Ask library staff about a parking validation for Conference Center parker. Paid public parking lots are available within half a block of the facility.
Street parking with pay stations is available throughout the city. Pay station parking hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., for a maximum of 2 hours, Monday through Friday. Saturdays are free, with a 2-hour maximum. Parking is also free on Sundays and holidays.
Free parking is available northeast of the Utah State Capitol building. You can takebus 200
from the capitol to the library for free.
Use of TRAX (light-rail) and buses in the downtown area is fare-free. Visitrideuta.com
for more info.
For more information about parking in downtown Salt Lake City, please visit theTemple Square Parking web page.
Street parking with pay stations is available throughout the city. Pay station parking hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., for a maximum of 2 hours, Monday through Friday. Saturdays are free, with a 2-hour maximum. Parking is also free on Sundays and holidays.
Free parking is available northeast of the Utah State Capitol building. You can take
Use of TRAX (light-rail) and buses in the downtown area is fare-free. Visit
For more information about parking in downtown Salt Lake City, please visit the