Deseret News | Joseph or not? Display of photo raises interest, doubts

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Joseph or not? Display of photo raises interest, doubts

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Relocated Southerner | 4:17 p.m. May 1, 2008

Since there is no one posting on this site who ever saw Joseph Smith in this life, no one can definitively say whether it is or isn't he. And while it would be nice to have an actual photo of him, does it really matter? No one knows what the Savior actually looked like -- just some artist's conception that has been perpetuated for centuries -- but it doesn't make any difference whether it really looks like the Savior or not, does it? I am amazed that some people are certain it is Joseph and others are just as certain that it's not. The truth is no one knows, and it truly does not make a difference one way or the other.

Anonymous | 4:18 p.m. May 1, 2008

If you see pictures of Joe that used to be hung in churches from 20 or 30 years ago, he seemed to be a pasty, sickly looking kid. Since then, he's buffed up, and is shown more robust and healthy.
Where does this photo fit in?

Ken Baguley | 4:24 p.m. May 1, 2008

Whatever...I personally believe it is Joseph...Until there is evidence to the contrary. To me the eyes prove it.

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Re: Who cares? | 4:26 p.m. May 1, 2008

AMEN!!!

Sheesh, Sheesh | 4:26 p.m. May 1, 2008

Good heavens Sheesh, what brought that on? The article clearly states it is an old photo that may or may not be Joseph. May or may not be. I did not read where the LDS Church said, "Yup, it is." If others believe it is Joseph Smith, then so be it. If others believe it is not, then so be it. If others doubt, then so be it. It does not matter. But, this matters to me. I love the LDS Church and your attack was not at all adult. My convictions strenghthed after reading your post. Many thanks to you. But, I lean toward the photo being Elvis, or Steve Nash, or some guy who paid a nickle to sit on a chair and have his photo taken so he could give a keepsake to his momma and to his girl friend.

Re: Seattle | 4:43 p.m. May 1, 2008

If I remember correctly (and I have been known to be wrong on a few occasions), there was either a painting or bust done that was based on measurements from the death mask and skull of Joseph Smith. Sort of a "CSI" reconstruction, if you will.

I don't know if the work was actually sponsored or funded by the Church, however.

invalid | 4:48 p.m. May 1, 2008

Nice display but there is too much against the photo being authentic.

I think he bigger news here is that people are TRYING to make it Smith. You should never try to discover that it is Smith; rather try to find out WHO it is.

Bias has taken the public on a wild ride. Smith Rests in Peace and I certainly will leave it that way.

It's really not all that big of a deal.

If someone came up with a picture and said that they have very strong or even undeniable evidence of a Smith photograph then I would be as curious and excited as the next guy.

Until then.

Answers | 5:21 p.m. May 1, 2008

Many here have asked questions that are answered in this book and Tracy's previous book on the same subject.

This photo came from a midwestern family named Smith who had an original copy of Emma's hymm book from Nauvoo and this old photo, who they thought might be Joseph. Given to the RLDS in the 1960's, they have tried to prove it's validity, finally sharing it with people here in Utah, including Tracy, who studied, in detail, portraits, the death mask, skull measurements from when the grave was exhumed in the 1920's, from family photos, using modern computer and video technology, etc. Now he has published a book about it. It is very interesting to those interested in historical things. It has nothing to do with the truthfulness of the Church.

It is interesting that there is a published, beautifully preserved daguereotype of Willard Richards, with wife and child from late 1844. No one questions it's authenticity as compared to the history of dag. photography.

Also, a documented statement from Wilford Woodruff, who knew the Prophet, states that things, including Joseph's photograph, were stored in a box at the foot of Moroni on top of the Salt Lake Temple.

Toria | 8:39 p.m. May 1, 2008

I don't have any doubt in my mind that the photograph is that of Joseph Smith. The facial features look like his. I have studied the photograph just a bit and I do believe it is the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Good Grief Charlie Brown! | 9:06 p.m. May 1, 2008

I don't know if its Joseph or not. It doesn't matter to my eternal salvation. Its probably not Joseph and its not important. We need to focus on more important issues today. With $4/gal gas prices, rising food prices and a failing economy, why are we even worried about a 150+ year old photograph? Everyone needs to chill out and focus on matters. Instead of insulting someones religion, go talk to your neighbors and see if they are in need, volunteer that energy to something constructive. If you don't believe in the church, so be it. Put your energy in to more Christlike endeavors and stop being such an internet troll. I'm sure Big Bro/Big Sis's would be glad to have more volunteers.

TheBuilding | 3:40 a.m. May 2, 2008

Why would the church allow this photo to be show in the Joseph Smith Memorial building? Just fuels speculation.

RKolk | 6:58 a.m. May 2, 2008

Does it really matter? It doesn't change who he was, who he is or what he has done.

Charlie | 4:53 p.m. May 2, 2008

I don't think anyone can say with 100% certainty that this is Joseph Smith. The history of the time period doesn't make it impossible that it is him, but it seems very improbable that this really was him. We should probably wait until it is analyzed by experts before we declare it's him. (But honestly it's not looking good in the favor of it really being him). Lincoln's earliest daguerrotype was in 1846, and quite honestly I think he would have had the technology before Joseph. And to all those who think that Pres. Monson should receive revelation whether it is real or not need to realize that this issue is so unimportant that it doesn't really matter at all.

Becca | 12:17 a.m. Dec. 8, 2008

I read about this from two articles. I am beginning to think that this may be a relation/family member of Joesph Smith's line. They said that this image came from a relation that was related to Joseph Smith, so it's very possible that this person maybe from Joesph Smith's bloodline, it would explain some of the similarites but yet obvious diffrences. Do I think it's Joesph Smith? No I don't. But the possiblity that it's a relation from the Smith line is probably high.

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