Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Capturing the True Likeness of Joseph Smith Jr.: Unveiling History through AI

 In the quest to unravel the true likeness of Joseph Smith Jr., the influential founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought forth unprecedented possibilities. Through a combination of historical validation, AI technology for facial analysis and reconstruction, we can now bring Joseph Smith Jr. to life in the 21st century with remarkable accuracy. This article explores the significance of the Marshall photo, the transformative power of AI, and the intriguing new daguerreotype that challenges conventional portrayals.

The Marshall Photo: Validating Joseph Smith Jr.'s Likeness

At the heart of our pursuit lies the Marshall photo—a unique and highly significant photographic image of Joseph Smith Jr. What sets this photo apart is its validation from Joseph Smith III, the Prophet's own son, as well as individuals who had personal connections with Joseph.

Joseph Smith III, the son of Joseph Smith Jr., held a deep understanding of his father's physical appearance and took great care to preserve his image for future generations. Recognizing the significance of capturing his father's likeness, Joseph Smith III safeguarded the photograph at the Library of Congress in 1879, ensuring its preservation. Furthermore, he entrusted the photographer Carter with the task of creating copies of the photograph, allowing for wider distribution and reproduction. Joseph Smith III's deliberate actions demonstrate his commitment to ensuring an accurate representation of his father's image and preserving it as a valuable historical artifact. I might note, a new daguerreotype has surfaced, suggesting it as a possible image of Joseph Smith Jr., but it is important to note that it lacks validation or replication by Joseph Smith III. A key missing element of provenance.

AI's Transformative Power: Bringing Joseph and Emma Smith to Life

Advancements in AI technology have revolutionized our ability to recreate historical figures, enabling us to envision Joseph and his wife, Emma Smith, with astonishing realism. These AI-generated images offer a captivating glimpse into how Joseph and Emma might have looked during their time, providing a deeper connection to their lives and the era they inhabited.

The following images of Joseph Smith Jr. have been generated using a copy of the original daguerreotype, resulting in the most advanced visual representations to date. The incredible precision achieved by AI in creating these images is truly astounding, showcasing the immense capabilities of this technology with pinpoint accuracy.


Behold the captivating image of Joseph Smith as a young boy, brought to life by the remarkable power of AI. Through careful analysis and reconstruction, AI technology has recreated a vivid depiction of Joseph during his formative years. Experience the innocence and curiosity that shaped the future prophet, as this AI-generated portrait unveils a glimpse into his early life and the journey that awaited him.


Immerse yourself in the vibrant beauty of Emma Hale Smith, wife of Joseph Smith, as AI breathes life into her image. Transported back in time, this AI-created portrayal showcases Emma's youthful radiance, offering a fresh perspective on her remarkable presence in history.



Delight in the union of Joseph and Emma Smith captured for the first time in a photograph, meticulously recreated by AI using their individual portraits. Experience the power of AI technology to bring historical figures together, allowing us to visualize the cherished moments of their lives.


Witness Joseph Smith Jr. engrossed in his studies and reading, brought to life through an AI-generated image.



Witnessing Joseph Smith Jr. passionately delivering a sermon within the confines of a church is a powerful sight. The remarkable capabilities of AI become evident when observing its ability to accurately rotate Joseph's face in alignment with numerous profile drawings of him. This synchronization between AI-generated images and historical depictions is truly awe-inspiring, shedding new light on the accuracy and authenticity of Joseph Smith Jr.'s portrayal through advanced technology.


By employing AI algorithms for facial analysis and comparison, we can examine the distinct facial features, proportions, and characteristics of the proposed images in comparison to the validated historical references and the only known daguerreotype of Joseph Smith Jr. This process involves feeding the AI model with a comprehensive dataset of authenticated images, including the verified photograph and other reliable sources.

The AI model can then conduct a thorough analysis, leveraging its ability to identify patterns, similarities, and differences in facial structures. It can scrutinize aspects such as facial symmetry, specific facial landmarks, unique attributes, and other defining characteristics of Joseph Smith Jr.'s appearance. This allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the new images, assessing their level of alignment or deviation from the established historical records.

Through this rigorous AI-based examination, we can challenge and disprove the authenticity of images that do not align with the verified representation of Joseph Smith Jr. This approach offers an evidence-based and scientific method to assess the validity of the proposed images, separating historical accuracy from speculative interpretations.

By exploring these new images and subjecting them to AI scrutiny, we can contribute to a more accurate and informed understanding of Joseph Smith Jr.'s likeness. This in-depth analysis can help debunk unfounded claims and ensure that the historical narrative surrounding Joseph Smith Jr. is supported by robust evidence and rigorous research.

I look forward to further discussions on this topic and AI's role in evaluating the proposed images of Joseph Smith Jr. Come back for new posts in the near future!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is amazing. Where can I get more information about this?

Kim Marshall said...

Hi, thank you for your interest. Make sure to see all the past or current posts on this blog for more information.
http://josephsmithjrphoto.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

This is very neat! Are you able to discuss which AI system you are utilizing? I also wanted to ask, why is Joseph’s nose (the profile) being accounted for. Specially regarding the known profile tracing method employed, and the other family members all displaying the large protruding nose with a crook. Artistic license? Beautiful images again, I think it’s neat to use tools such as this and mix with your art.