Elder Richards lived on this property with his family until the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints left for Salt Lake Valley on February 1846. Due to Joseph Smith’s financial involvement with constructing the home, the original deed to the property was never officially transferred to Elder Richards’ name. The lot remained recorded as owned by Joseph & Emma Smith jointly, and then became the sole property of Emma Smith after the death of Joseph Smith on June 27, 1844.

Elder Willard Richards’s home was the meeting place for the Church leaders from the day it was completed. Joseph Smith spent many hours closely working with Elder Richards at his home to complete the History of the Church and the Life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. After the death of Joseph Smith, Elder Richards' home served as the headquarters of the Church for a short time.

Willard Richards was among the original nine men who were in the Red Brick store when Joseph revealed for the first time the Temple Endowment ceremony and all the associated ordinances. Since the Nauvoo temple was still under construction during this time, there were often prayer meetings, which included the exercise of new ordinances, sealing couples, and endowment ceremonies, held in the upper floor of Willard Richards home. This group of nine was often referred to as the Anointed Quorum and it was recorded that they met almost every day to pray and hold special council meetings.

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