Franklin D. Richards (Mormon apostle) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Franklin D. Richards |
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| President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| September 13, 1898 – December 9, 1899 | |
| Predecessor | Lorenzo Snow |
| Successor | Brigham Young Jr. |
| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| February 12, 1849 – December 9, 1899 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| LDS Church Apostle | |
| February 12, 1849 – December 9, 1899 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| Reason | Reorganization of First Presidency; excommunication of Lyman Wight |
| Reorganization at end of term |
Reed Smoot ordained |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Franklin Dewey Richards April 2, 1821 Richmond, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | December 9, 1899 (aged 78) Ogden, Utah, United States |
| Resting place | Ogden City Cemetery 41°13′57″N 111°57′44″W / 41.2325°N 111.9622°W |
| Spouse(s) | 11, including: Jane S. Richards |
| Parents | Phineas Richards Wealthy Dewey |
Franklin Dewey Richards (born April 2, 1821 – died December 9, 1899) was an important leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1849 until his death. This group helps lead the church. For the last year of his life, he was the president of this quorum.
Franklin D. Richards was the nephew of another church leader, Willard Richards. Willard Richards was one of two men who survived a dangerous attack at Carthage Jail. This attack took the life of Joseph Smith, the church's founder, and his brother, Hyrum Smith.
His son, George F. Richards, and grandson, LeGrand Richards, also became members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Franklin D. Richards also served in the government of the Utah Territory in the 1850s. A county in Idaho, Franklin County, Idaho, is named after him.
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A Life of Service: Franklin D. Richards
Franklin D. Richards was born in Richmond, Massachusetts. He married Jane Snyder in Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1846, he helped his wife and children begin their journey west with other Mormon pioneers. This was a big move for many church members to find a new home.
After his family started their journey, Franklin and his brother, Samuel, went on a mission to Great Britain. A mission is when someone travels to teach others about their faith. He served there as a missionary from 1846 to 1848. He went on missions to Great Britain at least two more times in the 1850s and 1860s.
Becoming an Apostle
In December 1848, a spot opened in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This happened because Lyman Wight was no longer a member of the church. To fill this opening, Franklin D. Richards was chosen and made an apostle on February 12, 1849. He was one of four new apostles called that day. The others were Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, and Erastus Snow.
Soon after becoming an apostle, Richards returned to England. There, he served as the president of the British Mission. He later became president of the European Mission. In these roles, he also helped publish the Millennial Star, a church newspaper. He also helped manage the Perpetual Emigrating Fund in Europe. This fund helped church members move to the western United States. While serving as a mission president, he helped gather important church documents. These documents are now part of a book called the Pearl of Great Price.
From 1889 until he died, Richards was the twelfth official Church Historian for the church. This means he was in charge of keeping the church's records and history.
Leading the Quorum of the Twelve
When Wilford Woodruff passed away on September 2, 1898, Lorenzo Snow became the new church president. Franklin D. Richards was the second longest-serving apostle at that time. Because of this, he became the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. He held this important position for about fifteen months until he died. He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve for over 50 years. This is the longest time anyone has served in the quorum without becoming the church's president.
His Final Years
In the fall of 1899, Richards had a stroke and became paralyzed. He passed away peacefully at his home in Ogden, Utah, on December 9, 1899. After his death, Reed Smoot was chosen to fill the empty spot in the Quorum of the Twelve.
Family Connections
The Richards family is special because it is one of only a few Latter-day Saint families to have three generations in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Franklin D. Richards's son, George F. Richards, and his grandson, LeGrand Richards, also served as church apostles.
Another grandson, Franklin D. Richards, also became a church leader. He served as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve and later as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
One of Franklin D. Richards's daughters, Josephine Richards West, was a leader in the general presidency of the Primary Association. The Primary Association is a church organization for children.
Another descendant, Kent F. Richards, also served as a general authority. He helped write down and organize the many journals that Franklin D. Richards kept during his life.
