Possible picture of Joseph Smith found

I had first encountered an article about the picture in the Salt Lake Tribune a few days ago. It is interesting and it sounds like actual intense research has been undertaken to prove its authenticity (not like “My Aunt Rose’s next door neighbor’s cousin said it’s Joseph”). I think paintings never look like the individual and agree that the similarities between the picture and the portrait are enough that I believe it is very possibly a picture of Joseph Smith.

I think the church’s response is interesting:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement regarding the daguerreotype.

“Every few years, potential donors bring artifacts to the Church History Library for review, including alleged photographs of the prophet Joseph Smith. Such artifacts are, of course, of great interest to the church. Though it was not mentioned specifically in the article, church historians, archivists and artifact experts were provided — by the item’s owner and the article’s authors — the opportunity to analyze the locket and photo and to review their findings prior to publication. We concur that the daguerreotype and locket were created of the materials and methods appropriate to the 1840s. However, as nothing is definitively known about the locket’s history before 1992, we cannot draw a conclusion about who is pictured in the daguerreotype. We welcome the recent publication of the image and hope it will prompt the discovery of additional information helpful to determining its authenticity.”

I get they need to be careful in light of deceptions such as the Mark Hofmann debacle. I also get that we do have some experts in historical research and could probably verify if the church really wanted to.

(Typing at the same time as Roy.)

I’m skeptical but we’re so far removed from anyone that knows what Joseph Smith looked like that I don’t think anyone will ever be able to say with 100% certainty. Skepticism is baked in at this point, no matter what the photo looks or doesn’t look like.

The articles I’ve read have been light on the details but after hearing some details it very well could be a photo of Smith.

Here’s a podcast from Mormon Book Reviews (an Evangelical interested in all things Mormon interviewing various people) where they talk about some of the details.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5aUTj-VvRM&ab_channel=MormonBookReviews” class=”bbcode_url”>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5aUTj-VvRM&ab_channel=MormonBookReviews

Over the years there have been a number of pictures that have been reported to present Joseph Smith Jr.

Many have very convincing background stories. Do a google search & look under “Images”.

For me it would be interesting to see a real image of JS. It wouldn’t change anything for me. Just like seeing

a likeness or image of JC. Here is one speculation the circulated recently.

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article7008411.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200/Jesus.jpg

I find it interesting how various races; cultures & nationalities visualize him in pictures & stained glass.

Many have the racial traits of the country of the artist that created the artwork. As it should be, IMO.

It’s interesting, my thoughts on seeing the photo were like “wow, he was an actual person”. I mean, of course he was. Nobody claims anything different, but it does feel weird having spent my whole life only seeing highly idealized paintings of him. I think it can be easy to forget that historical figures were actual people, not the just the characters of the many stories we tell about the past. Whether or not this photo is actually him, it is something interesting to think about.

I had a similar thought when I saw it. Without a real picture, you’re kind of forced to come up with some mental image to fill in the void. For me, it was Nathan Mitchell’s portrayal of Joseph. Whether it’s an actor or painting, the options are usually much more polished than reality. Seeing this picture, even if it turns out to not be him, makes him a little more real.