I was born on the 13th day of February, 1816, in the town of Mount Holly, Rutland County, Vermont. My father was Calvin Richardson. He was a surgeon in the Revolutionary Army. My mother's name was Mindwell Barrett. After living with my father until of age, I started for the west. I stopped off at Washington County, New York, where I married Mary Darrow 2 August, 1840. Then I moved back to Vermont where myself and wife were united with the Presbyterian Church. Since my father's family was of the Baptist and Methodist faiths, ill feeling and persecutions arose and grew to the extent that I could no longer live in peace. Therefore, I moved to Cannelton, Perry County, Indiana, where I lived five years, spending much time and money building up and promoting what I believed to be religion. As I was trustee, much of the work fell upon my shoulders. In a word, I was like Paul, a Pharisee, living according to rigid sectarianism, but still looking for light and truth.

At last I united with a colony and started for Oregon. Money began to fail so I joined my brother-in-law in one wagon. After being out some time, division began to arise, so at last at Independence Rock, I bought me a wagon. But my cattle were weak from alkali and everything seemed against me. I kept on to the big Sandy River however where my best ox died. I was obliged to leave friends and everyone I ever saw and turn toward Salt Lake, on account of the state of my team.

We were twenty-seven days going one hundred and sixty miles. We were all alone all the time, except as we met someone now and then. We saw bodies of men that had been murdered by Indians, and we were surrounded by grizzly bears when we camped on the side of the mountain at night. But the hand of God was over us, and we arrived safely in Salt Lake City. My wife remarked that it was like Job's captivity turning when he prayed for his friends, for our fortune turned when we turned.

Although we knew nothing of the Mormons except the false reports in circulation, we thought we might live with them for one winter. We soon began to feel the spirit of inquiry, and the consequence was that myself and wife were baptized by Ralph Thompson on the 3rd of October, 1853. In December, I was sent to Sanpete, and on 11 February, 1954, I was ordained an Apostle of the Seventies under the hand of Nelson Higgins. I was re-baptized, and on 11 February, 1854 and in 1857 I paid $168.00 into the [Perpetual] Emigration Fund.

Thus far my faith has been firm in Mormonism. I know it is true and am satisfied to remain in it, which I pray may ever be the case.

— (signed) Edmund Richardson