Stephen L Richards

Stephen L Richards (June 18, 1879 – May 19, 1959) was a prominent leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Counselor in the First Presidency.

Early life Richards was born in Mendon, Utah Territory. He was the oldest of ten children born to Stephen Longstroth Richards and Emma Louise Stayner. He was raised in Cache Valley. Richards was the grandson of Willard Richards, an early church apostle and colleague of Joseph Smith.

Richards married Irene Smith Merrill (a maternal granddaughter of George A. Smith) in 1900. The couple had nine children, including a son, Lynn S. Richards, a Utah politician and church leader.

Education and profession

Richards did undergraduate studies at the University of Utah. He received a J.D. degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1904,

After graduating from the University of Chicago, Richards practiced law in Salt Lake City and was a professor of law at the University of Utah. He had been considering running for governor of Utah in the 1918 election, but decided not to do after being called as an apostle in 1917.

Death

Richards died in Salt Lake City at the age of 79, shortly before his 80th birthday.