YOUTH BIO: Brother Richards grew up attending the Mountain View Baptist Church in San Diego before missionaries baptized him and his mom. During his mission, he lived in huts, ate spiders, and used machetes (ma-shed-ees) while living in the jungles of Honduras.  His son, Dawson, served in the same mission.

After meeting his wife at EFY, he moved to Utah to teach Seminary, play water polo & volleyball for Utah State University, and…to marry her. The Richards just celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary!

He teaches Seminary and Institute and gives firesides nation-wide. He is the author of several books and audio talks.

Some random facts: He’s left-handed. He’s part White, Polynesian, Black, and Native American. He eats chocolate every day. He’s a great pickleball player. Some say that Brother Richards excitement for the gospel reminds them of Olaf from Frozen. 

He grew up as an only child; his mom is an only child, and his grandma was an only child, so…his family reunions were pretty small growing up… but he has an awesome daughter-in-law studying dietetics who is married to his accountant son, Dawson. His daughter Kali (Cal-ee) studies International Relations at Columbia University in New York City. His weightlifter water polo player son Izak was called to serve a mission in Ecuador, starting August 7. Melia is his cheerleader daughter that loves dancing and hanging out with friends.

Most of all, he loves teaching and being with valiant Latter-Day Saints.

ADULT BIO:  Brother Richards grew up attending the Mountain View Baptist Church in San Diego before missionaries baptized him and his mom. Later, his own mission began in Honduras – and his son, Dawson, served in the same mission as well.

After meeting his wife at EFY, he moved to Utah to teach Seminary, and play water polo & volleyball for Utah State University and they’ve been married for 25 years.

He has served in several Bishoprics, twice on High Councils, in the Stake Presidency, and now serves as a Bishop.

Professionally, he teaches Institute and Seminary in the Utah North Area. He has spoken at several inter-faith events and is a member of the Veritas society, is a contributing author for the Patheos project, and is a member of the International Writers and Editors Association. For 5 years, he and his team wrote the Online Seminary Curriculum. He presents at BYU and BYU-Idaho Education Week and is the author of “Preparing for the Second Coming”, “Come Follow Me: Words of the Week” and was a contributing author for Deseret Book’s “Hear Him” project. He has authored several articles for the Ensign, New Era, and LDS Living magazine and has produced six best-selling CDs at Deseret Book. And he’s a great pickleball player in his free time.

Most of all, he loves teaching and being with valiant Christians around the world.