Joseph Smith Photograph

[kolipoki09]

Not long ago, it came to my attention that there was yet another alleged photograph of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Kim and Jeff Marshall claim to be in possession of this photograph have started a blog (though it is seldom updated) providing what they believe to be evidence "proving" that what they have is a "true photographic image of Joseph Smith."

Having invested a great deal of time into other alleged photographs of the Prophet, what is purported in this particular study does not appear convincing in the least. The owners of the photograph have claimed that the picture is at least 60 years old, though they've cited no sources confirming or denying that this is the case.

I believe this is a third, fourth, or possibly fifth generation copy of what is known as the Community of Christ Front View oil painting seen here:

The alleged photograph in question contains three distinct characteristics distinguishing it from the Front View oil painting.

1. The jacket outline in the Marshall photo is more compressed, including a significantly shorter arm.

2. The Marshall photo appears to have a button on the vest, while the painting does not.

3. A monogrammed "S" pin on Joseph's cravat.

Attempts to link the image with the death mask have been poorly constructed. The superimposition featured on the blog was the worst attempt I've ever seen. http://josephsmithjrphoto.blogspot.com/2010/04/photo-and-death-mask.html The brow-lines don't match. The chin and lips are similar, but once again, the nose in the photo is too long compared to the death mask. The eye on the viewer's right is also too high in the photo.

In essence, nothing featured on the blog has convinced me that this is a photograph of an actual person, let alone the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Marshall's have claimed that historians Richard Turley, Bill Slaughter, and Ron Romig have taken interest in the photo as being genuine, though I have major doubts as to whether this is indeed the truth.

If others have encountered this blog before or have an interest in the subject, please feel free to respond.