LeGrand Richards: Beloved Apostle
By Lucile Christenson Tate
Copyright 1982
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I was excited to read this book because LeGrand Richards wrote one of the most impactful books for my life that I’ve ever read – A Marvelous Work and a Wonder.
I think the best way to honor this book is to honor the amazing man LeGrand Richards was.
He was a mission president, presiding Bishop, and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe near the end of his life he was in very close communication with Jesus Christ.
One of his greatest contributions to the building up of God’s kingdom here on earth has been the writing A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. One of my favorite books of all time. I don’t know how a person can read that book and still question the claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In life LeGrand was one of the greatest missionaries of this dispensation. He was described by someone in this book as the Paul of the latter days. I was extremely motivated by his example and boldness in sharing the gospel throughout his life.
One great missionary story about LeGrand Richards in the book comes from Bruce R. McConkie. Elder McConkie tells of a time he was sitting in the back of a plane waiting for it to take off. LeGrand got on the plane and shook the hand of every single person. “He started at the front and walked the full length of the plane shaking the hands of everyone aboard – people he’d never seen before – and he asked each one if he or she was a Mormon.” After speaking to each person on the plane he went back up to the front, turned, and said, “There are seventeen of us on board tonight. Isn’t it wonderful to belong to the Church?” Bruce R. McConkie continued, “The plane was full of non-Mormons, some had never heard of Mormons, but that is exactly what he did…all over the plane people smiled, laughed, were pleased. He hadn’t offended. He hadn’t hurt anyone’s feelings and he’d left a good impression and feeling for the Church.” He was a kind, gentle, and somewhat funny old man. Can you imagine the impact this act had on that plane? The feeling of fellowship that would be present? The missionary discussions and promotion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that could then occur?
I can imagine someone leaning over, “who is that man?”
A response, “He is an Apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ.”
To LeGrand Richards: Thank you. Thank you for writing amazing books. Thank you for being an example of service to the Lord, and to others. Thank you for being a source of truth and light to this world. All I know of you is what I’ve read. That’s enough to tell me I greatly look forward to meeting you one day, if I ever get that privilege.
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LeGrand Richards spoke in General Conference a total of 22 times. He was known for speaking purely from his heart and through the spirit. He could go on and on with profound spiritual insights. Here is his second talk in General Conference in October of 1971, “Laying a Foundation for the Millennium.”
No Coincidences 