[1][2][3] John Stilley Carpenter's family traveled via covered wagon train to Utah in 1857, crossing the Great Plains in Jacob Hoffhein's company.

In 1866 Carpenter was ordained an Elder and was sent to the Missouri River to serve as a Church teamster assisting emigrants.

In 1908 Apostle Francis M. Lyman ordained him as Bishop of the Glendale Ward; he served for five years.

From 1881 to 1883 he filled a mission to the Southern states, serving part of the time as a conference president.

On 1 February 1877 John Stilley Carpenter married Margaret E. Cutler (29 July 1860 - 12 September 1880); they had two children.