Why does it matter? Shucks, there are high council rooms all over the Church that would need to be updated if this "photo" were actually the prophet.

Is it him?

Richard said he was surprised that no one had come on claiming to have had a dream or vision.

Well let's just put it this way, if our bodies look like our spirits then this "photo" is NOT of the Joseph Smith Jr. I have come to know.

I see a lot of Emma in this photo. I'm imagining it's one of his sons.

Mark Hoffman taught the church leaders and members one thing...never, never, never believe any old document or picture. Who cares anyway if it is a picture of him or not?

Why do people read some much into obviously written headlines? Have you no common sense to read what is written and then go figure out what is the actual story. A headline is a headline, not the actual anything.

I read the article and have seen the photograph. I believe it is authentic and to be that of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Plain and simple!

Looks like Neville Longbottom to me.

Ive dont think it is a photo, its just to clean for the time priod, I have ones of family from that time and none of them look that good, it is a good look alike though.

There are much better photographs for that period in time. This particular photograph happens to be a bit blurry, but I do believe it's the Prophet Joseph Smith.

You realize that being strong and athletic doesnt mean being a massive body builder. I think its facinating and it bears a great resemblence to the photo that is already well-known. I dont get what the big deal is. The church cant say yeah or nah, so what? For real? What is the big deal???

I really don't want to give a comment, yet i cant help but just laugh that everyone are so passionate about this pictures. That's not a bad thing though. To be honest, i was moved by that picture as well, just to imagine that i am seeing a picture of my beloved and adored noble man of God. How can i not be thrilled he is a great Prophet!? But since the church doesn't claim it, it means...we are to respect that. (= we can look forward for a more greater expectation when we see the Prophet on that momentous day of Resurrection! I imagine how thrilling it would be, perhaps that even now seeing just a simple picture portrait has had a great impact to me. I want to see him someday and meet him, just like how much i want to see him today and get to know him. Oh what else can i say, i know he is a Prophet and i love Him! About the picture, it may not be him, but its actually fine to just imagine how he would look like in his brilliant countenance. (=

I think I will let our prophet and church leaders determine how to handle this, and go with what they say.

As for the person who said the church might be afraid they would have to reprint pamphlets- you need to think about that, it's a pretty harsh accusation to say the church would deny a photo of the prophet to save money.

I have only been a member 5 years but sometimes I am dissapointed by the comments of long-time members, especially when they forget that the church is run by a modern day prophet... and yet they second guess it?

Food for thought

When Moses saw the burning bush (which was a form of Our Heavenly Father) he aged treamendously. If Joseph Smith actually saw God in his true form, he would have melted. There a some angels that can't even look upon God because of His Very Powerful Force. And even if Joseph Smith saw a form of God like Moses did, he would have aged just as Moses did... and I can assure you, he didn't. I saw photos of Joseph Smith after he supposedly saw God, he looked like a normal 14 year old boy. Another thing that you all might want to take into consideration....2 Corinthians Chpt 11 Verse 14 It States that Satan keeps transforming himself into the Angel of Light. Also, The Mosaiac Law was abolished when Jesus set forth two new laws "You Must Love Your God Jehovah with All You Heart, All You Mind, And All Your Soul/2nd You must Love you Neibor. What does this mean? Mormons are not required to give a 10th of their paycheck as a tiding or Honor the Sabbath because as long as they follow the above listed laws they are good