36 Facts About Willard Richards

Willard Richards was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement.

Willard Richards served as second counselor to church president Brigham Young in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death.

Willard Richards was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe on June 24,1804.

Willard Richards taught school in Chatham, New York, and in Lanesborough, Massachusetts.

Willard Richards pursued additional studies in physical mechanics and science, and studied the clarinet.

At the age of thirty, after the death of his sister Susan, Willard Richards decided to become a medical doctor.

Willard Richards studied at the Thomson Infirmary in Boston, focusing on medication and herbal preparations.

Willard Richards then settled in Holliston, Massachusetts, where he practiced medicine.

In 1836, Willard Richards was introduced to the newly published Book of Mormon by his cousins, Joseph and Brigham Young.

Willard Richards read the book twice within ten days and soon made preparations to move to Kirtland, Ohio, to join the Church of the Latter Day Saints; a bout of "palsy" prevented him from traveling until a year later.

Willard Richards was baptized on December 31,1836, by Brigham Young and ordained an elder on March 6,1837.

Shortly following his ordination as an elder, Willard Richards was called on a brief three-month mission to the Eastern United States.

Willard Richards served a total of four years on his mission to Britain.

Willard Richards was the moving force behind establishing the first branch of the church in Manchester, England.

Willard Richards was appointed first counselor to the president of the European Mission, Joseph Fielding.

Willard Richards married Jennetta Willard Richards on September 24,1838, while on a four-year mission to England.

Jennetta Willard Richards was in poor health, and after traveling across the Atlantic Ocean in April 1841, Willard Richards took her to live with his siblings in Richmond, Massachusetts, while he went on to Nauvoo, Illinois.

Willard Richards was a close confidant of Joseph Smith, and became a practitioner of polygamy.

Willard Richards returned to Richmond and retrieved his wife Jennetta, arriving back in Nauvoo on November 21,1842.

On January 18,1843, Willard Richards married sixteen-year-old Sarah Longstroth and fourteen-year-old Nanny Longstroth, who were sisters.

Willard and Jennetta Richards were sealed on May 29,1843, and were among the first couples to be sealed.

Willard Richards was ordained an apostle on April 14,1840, by Brigham Young.

Willard Richards was in Warsaw, Illinois, from September to December and did not take up residence in Nauvoo until December 1841.

Willard Richards was in Warsaw on a missionary assignment to found and supervise a settlement of church members there.

Willard Richards was a member of the Nauvoo City Council from 1841 to 1843.

Willard Richards was a member of the Masonic lodge at Nauvoo.

Willard Richards became Joseph Smith's private secretary in December 1841, when he was made recorder of the Nauvoo Temple.

In December 1842, Willard Richards was called to be the Church Historian and Recorder, a position he held until his death.

In July 1842, Willard Richards went on a short mission to New England.

In 1844, Willard Richards was made the recorder of the Council of 50.

On May 4,1842, Willard Richards was one of nine men to whom Smith presented the endowment.

Willard Richards was incarcerated in Carthage Jail with Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and John Taylor on June 27,1844, when the jail was attacked by a mob and the Smiths were murdered.

Willard Richards was unhurt and so supervised the removal of the bodies of Taylor and the Smiths.

Willard Richards was called as Second Counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency on December 27,1847, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Willard Richards died in Salt Lake City on March 11,1854, and was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Willard Richards was described as "calm and even minded" despite his physical challenges.