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LDS Church seeks to quell photo buzz

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why quell? | 12:25 a.m. March 20, 2008

The definition of "quell" is, "suppress" or "quiet." Why does the church have to seek to quiet and/or suppress people? Very strange and opressing to say the least Are they worried they'll have to reprint their pamphlets if this photo turns out to be Joseph Smith?

Praise to the Man | 1:06 a.m. March 20, 2008

I'm Mormon and very active. But this story is the dumbest thing I ever read.

Wilkey | 1:24 a.m. March 20, 2008

Whoever this person is, there is something strangely compelling about an individual staring out at you over so much time and space.

What was the motivation of the Community of Christ Church for acquiring the photo, I wonder.

Comments continue below

Mike | 1:26 a.m. March 20, 2008

So, if the press release as quoted below is true, then whose death mask did I see at the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum years ago? The label on one said it was Hyrum's, the label on the other said it was Joseph's!

The release said the church "does not have or own this photograph or any image of Joseph Smith other than several early artists' portrayals of him and some early photographs of those portrayals. The church does have the death mask of Joseph Smith."

Eye Dee Ten Tee | 1:53 a.m. March 20, 2008

After reading the article, quell seems to be the word the reporter chose, not the church. All the church has said is they cannot confirm who is in the photograph. But if you see repression and secrecy under your bed every night, who am I to ruin your fun?
I can see why 53,000+ missionaries going from door to door throughout the world might be seen as being secretive.

Dan | 3:33 a.m. March 20, 2008

Better headline: LDS Church sheds light on mystery photograph.
In fact, this writer seems to me to be biased against the LDS Church. The Church isn't seeking to quell anything, but merely to state facts. The writer should not presume to infer their PURPOSE in doing so.

Kyle from AZ | 3:48 a.m. March 20, 2008

This is not Joseph in my opinion, it would be very cool if it was.

Hey Eye Dee Ten | 5:53 a.m. March 20, 2008

Do you know what sarcasm is? I believe the first commentor was using sarcasm to make fun of the reporter for using a dumb word that doesnt' make sense in that usage.

who am I to say.. | 6:35 a.m. March 20, 2008

I'm sure by the end of today this article will have alot of comments about this picture. Some will say it is some will say it isn't. But, I'm not going to say it is or isn't. It does say in his journal that he did have his photo taken. But, if this is the one I don't know.

story and headline | 6:38 a.m. March 20, 2008

People I agree that the story is meaningless, but writers and columnist dont write the headlines for the stories. Don't just attack the writer because of the headline that he didnt write.

Wonka | 6:51 a.m. March 20, 2008

Looks like Gene Wilder to me. But what do I know?

brent | 7:10 a.m. March 20, 2008

I already saw this picture some months ago and I personally believe it is authentic

Chris | 7:10 a.m. March 20, 2008

The church released this statement, because the Mormon gossip mill that runs through forwarded emails has started a rumor that the church is going to authenticate it, etc, etc. Gotta love that gossip mill and the people that forward their oftentimes ludicrous emails.

However the photo isn't of Joseph Smith. He's much too slight of built, hair too dark, and the expression on his face is that of the serial killer Jesse James. "Move on these aren't the droids you are looking for"

Get the Facts | 7:20 a.m. March 20, 2008

If you read the comments from the journals, of those that knew Joseph; you would know that this picture is not Joseph Smith. They say he was broad shoulder, long arms and legs, but small hands...
With just these few description of him you can see that this man is not the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Utah Saint | 7:44 a.m. March 20, 2008

What a dumb title for this article. Perhaps some more throrough reporting would be in order as well. Who has possession of the death mask (or at least claims to)? Maybe the reporter could have brought up the fact there have been other puported photos of Joseph Smith. Honestly, I would expect this kind of shallow reporting from Fox13, not the Deseret News.

Rico | 7:44 a.m. March 20, 2008

To why quell.
They can teach a person to read, but being able to understand apparently a little more difficult.
The article says nothing about qwelling people, it says the church seeks to qwell speculation that the church lends it's support to the authenticity of the photo.

Smith | 7:39 a.m. March 20, 2008

I know many Smiths and this picture does not look like a Smith.

Close, but no. | 7:47 a.m. March 20, 2008

This daguerreotype is a close match to the death mask, but the most correct representation I know of is a 19th century linen lithograph reproduction of an original daguerreotype owned by a man in Pleasant Grove. It shows both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young together. A known daguerreotype photographer lived with Joseph Smith for about the last six months of Joseph's life. Surely, there was one taken of the prophet. Keep looking, but it should match George's picture.

Rico | 7:50 a.m. March 20, 2008

I have to agree with brent. I too think the photo is authentic, I just don't think it's Joseph.

apr | 7:50 a.m. March 20, 2008

I don't think this is the prophet Joseph Smith. History accounts that he was very athletic and strong. Look at those shoulders in the photo, they are shoulders of someone who has little muscle mass. Just a thought.

Nebraska | 7:45 a.m. March 20, 2008

And so....????
If it is or isn't Joseph Smith Jr. what does it matter? Does having a photograph make him any more or less a prophet?

The author's choice of the word 'quell' only stirs people up and gives false impressions. Not only that, but it makes us curious people want to see the photo that we had not heard about until this article.

Barbara | 7:52 a.m. March 20, 2008

Since "quell" has two meanings (one being surpress, the other quiet) why wasn't "quiet" used in the headline? It would have been more appropriate. This is just another example of misleading word choices in D-News headline writing!

BkTorro | 7:56 a.m. March 20, 2008

It is time for us all to stop looking for insults in every word that is published about the church. Lets face it, if it is a photo of Joseph and it could be authenticated, won't the Church be the biggest beneficiary? The reality is there is no one that can authenticate the photo as at last check anyone who actually saw his face has been dead for close to a hundred years

OK | 7:57 a.m. March 20, 2008

WHO CARES!!!!

to: Mike | 8:00 a.m. March 20, 2008

Regarding the death mask, the Daughers of Utah Pioneers may at one time had the masks of Hyrum and Joseph Smith. When you get a chance, go down to the Church Museum of History, there you will see both masks on display.

asd | 8:08 a.m. March 20, 2008

Does it really matter that much? Yeah, it would be cool if this was joseph smith's picture. But hey!! its just an image!!

Mike R. | 8:15 a.m. March 20, 2008

Yep, it's definately an authentic photo of somebody. For the rest of you who think it is Joesph, "Here's your sign."

Stella | 8:20 a.m. March 20, 2008

Time will tell. In the meantime, there is life to be lived.

David Canuck | 8:23 a.m. March 20, 2008

Some time ago I read a fascinating article by Robert A Rees -- Seeing Joseph Smith: The changing Image of the Mormon Prophet. You can find it on the Sunstone magazine website. Well researched with some great examples. It's worth the read.
I also did my own analysis of the "new" photo, which has been around for quite a few years. I don't feel the "new" photo is one of JS. Do a comparison for yourself. There are authentic images (drawings or paintings), and also the death mask of JS.

Joe | 8:39 a.m. March 20, 2008

Joseph Smith's name will ALWAYS be relevant - and spark the best in people - and sometimes the worst. He may not have been perfect - but he WAS one of the greatest men of all time. His long list of accomplishments for the Lord will stand forever.

Jon | 8:43 a.m. March 20, 2008

A couple of things: I don't think the writer is saying the Church is trying to quell the photo (or in otherwords, hide it from the public), as there is no harm to anyone if this is Joseph Smith. I think the writer is saying the the Church is trying to quell the buzz or excitement over it because they probably feel that if it's not authentic, then there's no reason to get excited. Might as well wait until it's authenticated.

Second, personally I don't it's him. This guy has slight shoulders--doesn't look athletic enough, even though he does have the prominent nose, overbite and recessed chin.

James | 8:38 a.m. March 20, 2008

A photograph of Joseph, historically, would be great. It would make hime seem real rather than some mythical image.

Beautiful Portrait | 8:44 a.m. March 20, 2008

I have a painting commissioned of this exact photo and it is absolutely beautiful! A tremendous amount of research was done on this photograph before the painting was ever commissioned, and if you ever have the chance to read it or hear it, it will help you develop your own opinion on whether or not this is the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Certificate of Authenticity provided by the researcher says: "As the Holy Ghost bears testimony of all truth, I believe that the Holy Ghost would bear a stronger witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. if it was historically correct rather than idealizing him....In that spirit I therefore present this new portrait entitled "Prophet, Seer, and Translator to those who love the Prophet Joseph Smith and hope that his portrait will help "Millions to know Brother Joseph again."

Ernest T. Bass | 8:51 a.m. March 20, 2008

It's doubtful that this is a photo of Joseph Smith. During his lifetime, most photo technology was being developed in France.
As for evidence, lets just pray and find out.

It's funner not having a picture | 9:01 a.m. March 20, 2008

Then we can make our image of the prophet like we want, bigger, stronger.

What would a picture of Gordan Hinckley look like in his late twenties.

Think back to then, people ate alot of vegatables, without the steriodal chicken and beef.

This will diasappoint a few, but I like the idea of having a picture of the prophet.

Kandace | 9:03 a.m. March 20, 2008

I doubt it is Joseph Smith. The daguerrotype was invented in France in 1839. Joseph Smith died in 1844. I don't think the technology would have traveled fast enough to capture Joseph before his death--particularly in the "west" of Nauvoo. The age of the man in the portrait is younger than Joseph would have been.

Some evidence, please! | 9:24 a.m. March 20, 2008

Before people make this out to be a daguerreotype of the Prophet Joseph Smith (or anyone else for that matter), we are all entitled to at least one shred of evidence. So far, none has been offered. (Yes, we knows it's a daguerrotype of SOMEONE. That's all!)

The Church is right to insist on this evidence. However, such insistence is not likely to stop internet rumor-mongers from fanning the flames of hysteria. All wild-fires are put out or burn themselves out eventually, but after how much damage?

Ken Baguley | 9:26 a.m. March 20, 2008

Look into his eyes...David O'McCay was asked by a reporter how he could know he was a prophet...He is said to have responded to the reporter, "Look into my eyes" I get that feeling with this photo...Remember he would have been just 34yrs. old at the time of getting out of Liberty Jail and he would have been very thin after that experience. Until found otherwise...I believe this is his photo.

BBKing | 9:24 a.m. March 20, 2008

A few years ago I saw an old photo of two men. One looked strikingly similar to Brigham Young, the other had facial features very similar to the painting of Joseph Smith's mother: Larger nose, rounded slightly protruding eyes. The owner of this photo swears up and down that it is a picture of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith, but no way to prove it.

He wanted to hire someone to take measurements of known pictures of Brigham Young and this one to see if it was in fact a much younger him. The only way one could possibly verify the other picture would be to take measurements from the known death mask. Even then, I don't know if that would be conclusive. And the other guy was not attractive at all. If it was Joseph Smith he was actually very plain to ugly.

I doubt it was the two of them but very neat little secret story. He lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah. It would be neat to have experts examine it and see what they think.

GHL | 9:29 a.m. March 20, 2008

I like my picture of Malibu Joseph better - blonde hair, blue eyes.

Closer to what my picture of Jesus looks like.

Raven | 9:36 a.m. March 20, 2008

The man in the photo does bear some resemblance (in my opinion) to portraits of Joseph Smith. Many complain the man in the photo isn't muscular/handsome enough to be the Prophet. Well, it's sometimes hard to tell how muscular someone is by looking at a photo where they are wearing cloths. I know I look more or less muscular depending on what cloths I'm wearing. Hopefully, with computer analyses someone will be able to tell if it's really Joseph Smith.

A 6th Cousin | 9:37 a.m. March 20, 2008

This is Joseph Smith III right? While handsome, I just don't believe this is Joseph Smith Jr. I could believe it is of his son who stayed and was the early leader to the RFLDS.

Methodology | 9:40 a.m. March 20, 2008

The daguerrotype was invented in France in 1839, but was such a success it was popular in the Americas by 1842. I'm not bothered by the slight sholders or the big hands or the deer in headlights expression. Sitting for a daguerrotype was a humbling experience, and didn't necessarily portray individuals how they might be when standing. This picture has good light and shadows. A digital study might be able to provide an accurate profile that can be compared to some of the artistic renderings of Joseph during his life time.

Sneaky Jimmy | 9:40 a.m. March 20, 2008

This is actually a picture of John Mccain during his first term as a senator.

Um, hi, yeah, Barbara? ... | 9:49 a.m. March 20, 2008

Visit a library someday and look up the words "connotation" and "denotation" in a dictionary. Then examine your comments, realizing you are speaking about "denotation." Then, discover this headline is more of an exertion of the power of "connotation" in writing. Um, duh!

Yay!

Ken Baguley | 9:44 a.m. March 20, 2008

To the 6th cousin...I have several pictures of Joseph III. He has no comparison to this photo except for the general hairline and some facial features. It ain't him...It's more likely Joseph Jr.

Frank | 9:49 a.m. March 20, 2008

Lol thanks Jimmy, I needed that. :)

A few Points | 9:55 a.m. March 20, 2008

1. I don't see where people looking at this picture claim the individual is not athletic enough to be Joseph Smith. We know Joseph Smith was active and loved certain sports but that doesn't mean he could have been a starting linebacker for BYU. We are all too used to the BofM images depicting all our LDS heroes of times gone by as Hans and Frans.

2. Is there any imaginable reason it could be viewed as a negative if this turns out to be Joseph Smith? I think it would great to have an actual picture.

3. If this is Joseph - he appears to be a much kinder - gentler person than Brigham Young appears to be in his pictures. And I think that would be accurate. I don't agree with all of the revelations or translations Joseph claimed but I get the sense he was not the power hungry bully that Brigham Young was. Dick Cheney would have trembled in the presence of Brigham.

AB | 10:01 a.m. March 20, 2008

This may be a waste of time, but it's still fun trying to imagine who this guy was. Whoever he is, he's got beautiful eyes - WOW.

Grimalkin | 9:56 a.m. March 20, 2008

6th Cousin: I agree, the photo could be Joseph Smith III. If you think of the old official RLDS portrait of him, and look beyond the beard, mustache, and long hair, the facial and body characteristics look right.

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