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November 12, 2024

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Jana DeardenAugust 3, 2022

The comments are interesting. Because when I saw the photo, I thought, yes that is Joseph! He has the piercing gaze that they talk about. He seems confident and humble. I feel a great love emanating from him. Life was much harder at that time to survive, I also see trials overcome.

Valiant JonesAugust 3, 2022

Thank you for sharing all these descriptions of the Prophet. What a wonderful resource to have in one place, irrespective of the question of the photo.

Yves ValenAugust 2, 2022

Looking at the death mask of Joseph Smith, I don't think that this photograph represents him. Many descriptions mention a rather thick upper lip, which seems to corroborate with what we can see on the death mask ... but not on this picture. On the contrary, I would tend to see more resemblance between this photo and Hyrum's death mask, In any event, what matters most is to have a testimony of the restored gospel.

GEOFFREY DUNNINGAugust 2, 2022

I certainly does not look anything like the death mask of Joseph. It does very much resemble Hyrum's death mask. I think it is very likely Hyrum.

David KingAugust 2, 2022

No it isn't. It doesn't even look close to the portrait of Joseph Smith nor the death mask. This is just wishful thinking

Wayne AAugust 2, 2022

This looks much more like I would expect Hyrum to look, not Joseph, and in fact that was my first impression, this is Hyrum. Furthermore, this looks nothing like the features of Joseph's death mask, particularly the mouth, nose, chin, or eye shape. Additionally, when I look deep into this man's face, it does not feel like the face of a man who has "seen" God, nor his Savior, face to face, and had that experience engrained into his every fiber & countenance. Therefore, I do NOT feel this is Joseph.

LauraAugust 1, 2022

I loved reading the descriptions of Joseph Smith. However, I think this photograph is not him but maybe an older relative. The eyes droop a little on the outside edges. This person could be easily about 50 years old.

Catherine DoddsAugust 1, 2022

This is the testimony and observation of my own great great grandfather, George Spilsbury, who met and knew the Prophet Joseph Smith: "The question may be asked by some of my grandchildren, "Did you feel disappointed when you saw him the first time?" I will tell you. All my troubles, and privations of leaving my father and mother, brothers, sisters and my native land seemed nothing compared with the joy of my experience when I first saw and heard him, the Prophet Joseph Smith preach. I felt greatly blessed of the Lord in having such a glorious privilege. The first Sunday after we arrived we went to a meeting on the first floor of the Nauvoo Temple. The walls of the building were about half-way up, and loose boards were laid on the joists and home-made benches to sit on, for it was a day of small things. We were early in our seats, and so the leading men of the Church began to arrive. It was no trouble to tell which was the Prophet, not because of his fine clothes, but there was something grand and noble and innocent about his appearance. His very eyes seemed to look right through you. His very countenance beamed with intelligence. He was as bold as a lion, but as humble as a child. He knew no fear." This experience and others from the life of my great great grandfather has had an important impact on my life. Whether the photo is actually of Joseph Smith is not important to my testimony that he is the Prophet of the Restoration. But, I like the photo and it looks like what has been described by other who knew him.

ShannonAugust 1, 2022

That can't be Joseph Smith. He's too old.

LoisAugust 1, 2022

These are wonderful descriptions and to me, fit the newly discovered photograph very well. When I saw it, my feeling was "Yes, this looks much more like I would think of Brother Joseph," especially the eyes.

MaryannAugust 1, 2022

I love reading comments by people who actually saw and knew the prophet, Joseph Smith. I don't think we will ever know if this is an actual photograph of him until we meet him one day. My first gut reaction when I saw the photo was "This is NOT the prophet, Joseph Smith." Talking with my husband later, he told me he had the same response.

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