Beards of Presidents of the Church

[MrShorty]

In the spirit of "no shave november", I decided to look a little bit at the different beard styles that past church presidents have worn. (I thought briefly about making it a quiz to see how many users here could identify).

 

This seems like a good place to start: https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/gospel-art/latter-day-prophets?lang=eng

 

Obviously, David O. McKay and later are all clean shaven. I don't know if I ever expect to see our restrictions against facial hair (at least for most Church officers) lifted or relaxed. At least for the first century of our history, beards were fairly common amongst the brethren. Based on the pictures, I see:

 

Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff appear to prefer a chin curtain type style. I know I have seen pictures of BY clean shaven, but are there any pictures of Wilford Woodruff clean shaven, or did he keep the same style pretty consistently?

 

I'm not sure what to call John Taylor's beard. Shaving the mustache, chin, and sideburns, leaving only the hair on the underside of the chin.

 

Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith seem to like the long, full beard look. I seem to recall a picture of JFSmith where he seemed to be sporting a "French Fork" type look (where the beard is shaped into two "forks" below the chin), but I do not see that picture.

 

Heber J. Grant seems to also like a full beard, but keeping it trimmed closer to the face.

 

George Albert Smith seemed to favor the Goatee with Mustache look.

 

I know I have often wondered what it would be like to grow a long beard like Pres. Snow or J. F. Smith. I have tried the goatee with mustache like Pres. G. A. Smith, and it wasn't too bad (as long as I keep the mustache trimmed). I have recently toyed with the idea of some variation on a chin curtain like Pres. Young.

 

It is of little real significance, but maybe something fun to look at and consider.

[mordorbund]

Wilford Woodruff's younger here, but he's sporting the same beard.

 

[MrShorty]

Yes, I do recall that picture, now that you post it. Less on the chin than he wore later in life, but still the same basic idea.

 

Does anyone know of a collection of pictures of the early church apostles (Parley Pratt, Orson Hyde, Heber Kimball, et al.)? I wonder what variety we would find with a larger sample set.

[Guest MormonGator]

In honor of No-shave November, I decided to go clean shaven. For the first time in years. :-)

 

Than again, I am blonde so it doesn't really matter anyway.

Edited November 10, 2014 by MormonGator

[Jane_Doe]

 

I'm not sure what to call John Taylor's beard. Shaving the mustache, chin, and sideburns, leaving only the hair on the underside of the chin.

 

It kind of looks like a billy-goat (no disrespect intended).

[omegaseamaster75]

 

Obviously, David O. McKay and later are all clean shaven. I don't know if I ever expect to see our restrictions against facial hair (at least for most Church officers) lifted or relaxed. At least for the first century of our history, beards were fairly common amongst the brethren. Based on the pictures, I see:

 

Are there restrictions against facial hair amongst the brethren?

 

I am unaware of a rule that says you must be clean shaven to be a GA

 

Someone please correct me on this

[MrShorty]

Are there restrictions against facial hair amongst the brethren?

 

I am unaware of a rule that says you must be clean shaven to be a GA

 

Someone please correct me on this

I don't have access to the CHI, so I cannot say for sure what is published there.

 

We all know that missionaries are required to be clean shaven.

 

My FIL, who has worn a full beard as long as I have known him, was required (by the temple president? CHI?) to shave when he became a temple worker.

 

I don't know if it is a written rule, or if it is one of those unwritten "traditions" that we perpetuate as if it is a written rule. Good question.

[MrShorty]

It kind of looks like a billy-goat (no disrespect intended).

 

What's your opinion on it? Recognizing that it is "out of style" for our modern day, but does it look good on Pres. Taylor or not? I can't really decide if I like the look or not.

[mdfxdb]

no rule against having a beard for church leadership positions.  A search of handbook 1 reveals no references for the term beard or shave

[Just_A_Guy]

The Best Beards in Mormon History

[MrShorty]

For those that need a teaser, be sure to follow JAG's link and check out the collection of beards there. Be sure to scroll down far enough to see their contest winner, Orson Pratt.

[Blackmarch]

I cant recall anything at the moment that says they absolutely they can't have a beard. I'd wager it probably has to do with more of being a unified body than anything else. Or possibly anyone who was first inclined to be bearded so got some sort of inspiration to do otherwise.

I love JAG's link.

[MrShorty]

I'd wager it probably has to do with more of being a unified body than anything else.

I recognize that this is speculation at this point. If this is the case, I'm not sure how I feel about it. I can certainly see the value in being "unified" -- Christ commanded us to be "one" as He and the Father are one. Do we believe that this sense of unity extends all the way to seemingly insignificant things like beard style (or hair style or tie color or insert seemingly meaningless fashion style here)? I recall a mission companion who struggled with this -- wondering if we would all become carbon copies of each other when we finally reached the CK.

 

I completely agree that we need conform ourselves to the will of God, but that level of conformity (if that is the reason), seems a little over the top (or is it just me).

[Blackmarch]

I recognize that this is speculation at this point. If this is the case, I'm not sure how I feel about it. I can certainly see the value in being "unified" -- Christ commanded us to be "one" as He and the Father are one. Do we believe that this sense of unity extends all the way to seemingly insignificant things like beard style (or hair style or tie color or insert seemingly meaningless fashion style here)? I recall a mission companion who struggled with this -- wondering if we would all become carbon copies of each other when we finally reached the CK.

 

I completely agree that we need conform ourselves to the will of God, but that level of conformity (if that is the reason), seems a little over the top (or is it just me).

 

Don't know, I haven't been called to that position.

there are many things that the church does because God gives them leeway to do so, and that it is not good that God should give command in every little thing.

I suspect that what is going to be more accurate that if our hearts are in the right place it's not going to matter in the long run and for that reason I don't think there's going to be quite so many issues of this nature by the time of the last judgement rolls around...

however ont he other hand, it might matter somewhat here on earth as various people do make it an issue or make beards (or any other outward action) mean something one way or another. (for example, at times beards represented nobility, and at other times things that would be more against the principles than the church than not), and in those bounds the leaders are certainly within their authority to advise/warn/command for or against such things assuming they are being moved by the spirit to do so.

 

 

Over the top for me would be more like being commanded to kill your only son or to wipe out al most all of the earth in a flood or something along that line.

 

[The Folk Prophet]

I recognize that this is speculation at this point. If this is the case, I'm not sure how I feel about it. I can certainly see the value in being "unified" -- Christ commanded us to be "one" as He and the Father are one. Do we believe that this sense of unity extends all the way to seemingly insignificant things like beard style (or hair style or tie color or insert seemingly meaningless fashion style here)? I recall a mission companion who struggled with this -- wondering if we would all become carbon copies of each other when we finally reached the CK.

 

I completely agree that we need conform ourselves to the will of God, but that level of conformity (if that is the reason), seems a little over the top (or is it just me).

 

 

I've heard others with similar concerns. I don't get it. What difference does it make if we're carbon copies of each other. Seems like such a mortal, worldly concern.

 

I seriously doubt our current leaders not having beards has anything to do with conformity.

[mordorbund]

I've heard others with similar concerns. I don't get it. What difference does it make if we're carbon copies of each other. Seems like such a mortal, worldly concern.

 

I seriously doubt our current leaders not having beards has anything to do with conformity.

 

I have it from a good source* that if Elder Oaks catches you napping with a 5 o'clock shadow he shaves humorous words in it. We all know that guy's a jokester.

 

 

* If it's already 10am and you haven't heard a good rumor, it's time to start one.

[omegaseamaster75]

I've heard others with similar concerns. I don't get it. What difference does it make if we're carbon copies of each other. Seems like such a mortal, worldly concern.

 

I seriously doubt our current leaders not having beards has anything to do with conformity.

Yet culturally having a beard and being in a leadership position is frowned upon, and judgement is passed about the individual. Kind of like the wearing of a white shirt on Sundays.

[EarlJibbs]

When I moved out of Utah I grew the largest beard I have ever had. It wasnt long like various Prophets, but it was very thick and added a considerable bulk to my face. When I shaved it off for my wedding anniversary (a present to my wife as she was tired of kissing a scruff ball) I hid my face from my three year old, got her attention and then revealed my face. My smile probably looked more like I was hungry since she hadn't seen my like that in over a year. She cried and ran away. :) 

 

When I was an Elders Quorum President the stake that I was in had a pretty strict shave policy for Elder Quorum Presidents and up. We were told that it was from the direction of the 12. When we went to a regional meeting with all other bishoprics, stake presidencies and elder quorum presidencies we were apparently the only stake that got the memo. I had never seen so many beards. When we asked about it later, the Stake President said that he was sure it was mandated, but looked into it further and received no such instruction. However, they stayed with the guideline from a stake presidency decision which was fine. It was just funny that all along we all thought we were following the Prophet. 

 

My take: I think beards are fine. It's mustaches that need to be watched haha!

[The Folk Prophet]

Yet culturally having a beard and being in a leadership position is frowned upon, and judgement is passed about the individual. Kind of like the wearing of a white shirt on Sundays.

 

That may be true. That doesn't mean it has anything to do with the motivation for "conforming".

 

I could care less whether others frown upon me for not wearing a white shirt. I still wear one every Sunday.