Statement on the Acquisition of 1840s-Era Locket

In response to media questions, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has accepted, by donation, a locket containing a daguerreotype reported to be from the 1840s. Some believe it may be an image of Joseph Smith. As we have acknowledged, since the discovery of the locket in 2020, we cannot draw a conclusion about who is pictured in the daguerreotype.

“This donation adds to an extensive collection of artifacts from that time period that invite people to study and prayerfully ponder the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the extraordinary life and ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

“For more information, we invite people to learn more at the Church History Catalog.”