From 1916 to 1928, Richards was the bishop of the Highland Park Ward of the LDS Church in Salt Lake City.

In October 1951, while he was acting as the mission president, he became an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

As a mission president he helped select the property for the planned London England Temple.

Richards was an Assistant to the Twelve until his death from pancreatitis in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Richards was married to Jane Foote Taylor and was the father of six children.