After an exhaustive 18 months of research and analysis, however, Mackay is convinced it is the first known picture of the man who said he saw God and Jesus in a New York woods as a boy and launched a global movement, including both Mackay’s church and the larger, Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“This isn’t surprising since Emma Smith herself [Smith’s wife] didn’t think the portrait was a good likeness of her husband,” Mackay said in an interview from his home in Nauvoo, Ill., “and that a good portrait of him couldn’t be painted because his countenance was changing all the time.”
This pic was taken when Joseph was 37 years old (prior to his death at age 38). It sure looks like he had a rough life. He looks like someone in their mid to late 50's.
I guess constantly running from the law and bedding 40 wives really took its toll.
"I'm on paid sabbatical from BYU in exchange for my promise to use this time to finish two books."
Well the good news is that if this is actually Smith those that actually created historically accurate representations of him translating with his face in the hat, won't have to change their artwork.
