He and his wife and children emigrated from England to Utah Territory, arriving in Salt Lake City on September 15, 1852.

From 1856 to 1883, Goddard was the clerk to LDS Church presiding bishop Edward Hunter.

From 1874 to 1884, Goddard was the clerk of the LDS Church's biannual general conferences.

In 1872, Goddard became the inaugural first assistant to George Q. Cannon, the first superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union.

Goddard was also a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a patriarch in the church.