Elder Richards was called as the Presiding Bishop of the Church suceeding Sylvester Q. Cannon who had been called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He served in that position until he was suceeded by Joseph L. Wirthlin, he himself having been called to follow Elder Cannon into the Quorum of the Twelve and being ordained to this high and holy office by President David O. McKay on the same April 6, 1952.
A great monument to his life was his book, "A Marvelous Work and A Wonder." The title from the Prophet Isaiah speaking of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. This great book became a contributing factor to the missionary work of then, and still today. At one time, more copies of it were sold than copies of the Book of Mormon itself, in which the book is about. It is estimated that thousands of conversions can be traced to the reading of this book.
Elder Richards served in the Council of the Twelve until his death at the age of ninety-six.
