Willard Richards

Died

1924

Role

Carthage Jail survivor, Church Historian, Joseph Smith's private secretary

Affiliation

LDS Church

Bio Notes

Survivor of the June 27, 1844 Carthage Jail attack that killed Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith. Controlled the public narrative of the martyrdom afterward. His account 'Two Minutes in Jail' remains the principal pro-LDS narrative. Shares the 'Willard' surname that recurs in Charlie Kirk's paternal line (Matilda Lucile Willard, Randall Willard Kirk, Robert Willard Kirk) — a naming/thematic recurrence, NOT a confirmed family connection.