[Update, 26 July 2011: Apparently PollDaddy polls go away after some period of time although the vote tallies are still visible to me behind the scenes. I’m adding those tallies to these posts. I wish newcomers could still vote, though!]
Time for you to take it on the chin, you bearded Mormons of the past – whose is best?
As I draft this, more than 300 readers have voted in last week’s poll of the best beards in Mormon history. Some beards ran away with the vote for their categories; one or two have been running neck and neck (cheek to cheek?) with first one, then another edging ahead by a whisker. It’s possible that by the time this poll posts, the one who is down now by a hair will have pulled ahead. Nevertheless, I have plucked one winner from each category based on who was ahead at the time I typed this.
Just for fun, I’m throwing in Amasa Lyman as a wildcard.
So –
Who wins top honors as the Great Bearded One?
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Joseph F. Smith – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – George Albert Smith
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James E. Bromley – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Amos Milton Musser
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William Clayton – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Heber J. Grant
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Porter Rockwell – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Orson Pratt
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Benjamin F. Johnson – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Amasa Lyman (wildcard)
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[polldaddy poll=3924389]
Best Beard: Best in Show
Orson Pratt: 123 (65%)
Heber J. grant: 21 (11%)
Joseph F. Smith: 18 (10%)
Porter Rockwell: 10 (5%)
Benjamin F. Johnson: 9 (5%)
George Albert Smith: 3 (2%)
Amos Milton Musser: 2 (1%)
Amasa Lyman: 2 (1%)
James E. Bromley: 1 (1%)
William Clayton: 0 (0%)
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[polldaddy poll=3924408]
Consolation Prize: Best Beard Not Appearing on the Face of Orson Pratt
Joseph F. Smith: 39 (23%)
Porter Rockwell: 37 (22%)
Benjamin F. Johnson: 32 (19%)
Joseph F. Smith: 23 (14%)
Amasa Lyman: 16 (10%)
George Albert Smith: 10 (6%)
James E. Bromley: 7 (4%)
Amos Milton Musser: 3 (2%)
William Clayton: 0 (0%)
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UPDATE: 10:02 a.m.: Addendum for Chris H.:
[polldaddy poll=3929205]
Special Election: Best-in-Show
Mormon Blogger BHodges: 44 (65%)
Mormon Blogger BHodges: 24 (35%)
The series:
The Best Beards in Mormon History
The Best Beards in Mormon History: Best in Show
The Best Beards in Mormon History: Results Show
The second poll made me laugh, since my response to the first was that Orson obviously wins.
😀 Well, I had to do SOMEthing to make it a horse race!
Yes, I’m glad you put in the second poll– I voted for Orson, too, but I was thinking a lot of it had to do with his face and hair.
I’m going to add Orson to my list of people to meet. His writings should have put him on there before, but now that I’ve seen his face…!
I am boycotting the polling. No Blair. No vote from me.
OK, I voted.
The Orson portrait is so…I don’t have the words for it. Everything you would expect?
Fitting yes; expected, no.
Is it just me, or does Heber J. Grant’s beard evoke thoughts of Sean Connery? Dare I say the beard is rather handsome, in a distinguished-prophet sort of way? I am somewhat grossing myself out as I type this…
There IS a certain debonair Sean Connery-esque stylishness to Heber J. Grant’s beard (his whole appearance, really), isn’t there, Becca? No need to be grossed out, IMO!
This was tougher — Clearly Orson’s beard is the most amazing, but I voted for Heber J. Grant because his is one I’d most like to see (or have).
This cracked me up because I voted Pratt, then read the second question.
For that I went with JFS merely on the idea of the folk tale I heard once that he wore the beard that way so he could go without a tie and with the top button undone. (I am sure it is only a folk tale, but It always makes me smile)
I am proud to call Orson Grandpa. Or rather Great, great, great, grandpa.
But, I voted for Heber J. Grant
Comments 8 & 9: Could you just see HJG introducing himself–“Grant, Heber Grant.”
I sense a groundswell of admiration for the Dapper Dude Heber J. Grant … Is it enough for a stunning surprise upset? Stay tuned …
Something about Orson Pratt’s facial hair reminds me of Cthulu, I’m not sure why though.
Heber J.! All the way!
Orson is my great great great uncle. Had to vote for him to keep it in the family.
count me in as another Heber J Grant enthusiast (nice groomed beard as well). He is the least studied prophet for the amount of his influence and length of Church service as President and Prophet.
I bet Joseph Smith said the same thing. A wildcard indeed.
Waiting for poll on best beards in the church today.
KFab, I have to agree. Totally Cthulhu. For the less nerdy of you, see http://suvudu.com/files/mt-files/Cthulhu.jpg or http://media.gtanet.com/illspirit/randompics/cthulhu-08.jpg
I think I got caught in the spam filter 🙁
[Found and released. Dunno why that happened. — AEP]
How could you all not vote for Porter Rockwell? His hair and beard are, by definition, the most awesome, regardless of what they looked like.
And now a quote from the Great Bearded One:
“My normal haunts are in London, or Vienna, or even Persia, but Brigham assigned me here [St. George]. He would like to make a pioneer out of me. It is a rather tough task, because I am a man of words, of science, of speculation–not a man of a shovel.”
(Those of us who have read his sermons can certainly agree with the “man of speculation” part…)
I voted for JFS straight down. He had so many styles of beards, mutton chops, etc., over the years that any contest which only showed ONE of his styles had to be fixed against him.
Also, for the last vote, I think Blair should have been challenged by K Barney’s beard. It is a sad day indeed when Ardis can be bribed into fixing such a poll!
Hush up about the bribe, Ramey — I told you I’d split it with you! Just like I was trying to split BHodges’ vote against himself. Which one of him is winning, anyway?
Ardis, I think though, that part of what makes Orson’s beard so great is his hair.
No doubt, mmiles — it’s the whole package. Sorta like her shoes determine who you vote for in the Miss America swimsuit segment. 😉
Do they wear shoes in the Miss America swimsuit segment??? 🙂
A historic LDS chapel in LA was restored a few years ago, and they had a huge gala thing for the rededication, including detailed historical presentation. There are simply fabulous photos of the original dedication event, with all the LA ladies decked out in furs (the kind with the heads still on). Heber J is there in the center of each as the guest of honor, managing to appear deeply humble while still fitting in flawlessly with his dapper styles.
Don’t miss Cynthia L’s comment on FPR, y’all!
Do you or others know what prompted Brigham Young and other church leaders to grow said facial hair ca. 1860? I think that’s about when Young grew his beard. Was it a growing trend at the time? Did others copy the church president? Was this all out of a hidden admiration for Abraham Lincoln’s fine beard?
Do you know why beards are taboo today? I have to shave off my beard every time I do a veil assignment at the temple. I start growing it back the next morning.