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Joseph Smith Hair

Joseph's Hair Color

This is more for the sake of historical interest. Have you ever considered how Joseph Smith is portrayed in many paintings as having dark hair? Well, look at the below link and see what you think.
https://cfac.byu.edu/valbrinkerhoff/12josep.../source/32.html

Hair Smith Joseph

I am not sure, but I think hair will lose some of its color over such a long time. I could be wrong, but I think this is true. Also, it is possible he got a haircut in the summer and this was from the top of his head which may have been bleached out a bit from the son.

Two other possibilities are that this really isn't his hair or that he really had lighter hair than depicted. However, you have to ask why we would bother to depict his hair darker than it really was.

Joseph Smith Hair Studies Doctrine Mormon

There are a couple of artist renditions that do show him with a lighter hair color (see below) and I wonder if it is based on what is represented by those hair strands saved.

Hair Smith Joseph

Perhaps some depictions are "artist's conceptions" and not based on personal knowledge of the prophet? Perhaps some artist thought the prophet looked more sober with darker hair than he had.

Why would a neighbor lady take a lock of his hair? Interesting.

Hair Smith Joseph

Probably for the same reason the woman wanted to touch the hem of Jesus' robe or it could be as vague as how people love to have something personal of a famous person, after all, if you were offered some strands wouldn't you keep it, if even just to show your grandchildren one day?

Joseph Smith Hair

The way I have always percieved Joseph Smith is having dishwater-blonde hair. I happen to have about the same color hair as the lock the woman saved. However, when I get it wet or put any type of gel or other hair product in it, it becomes very dark, a moderate brown color. I would assume that he would have put something in his hair to keep it down (or at least wet it) for something as formal as a portrait, and probably also for major Church meetings. Thus, this doesn't have to be an inconsistency, so much as a variation in circumstances in which he was viewed.