Brief History of John Richards Howard, attributed to his granddaughter, Lucie Howard James (1900-1980)

What was the cause that motivated men like John R. Howard to give up the life they loved - the sea - to swim to shore; seek out this new religion, Mormonism; to join it in face of great hardship and trials? John was of a royal line, had been educated at Oxford. His future was assured and safe and yet when he heard the gospel from two young missionaries on their way to England he knew that it was true. The first missionaries sent to England were mighty men of faith who traveled without 'purse or script'; often leaving families back in the States.

At any rate John was never the same again. When he finally reached Utah he became a close friend of Brigham Young who asked him to take an ox team and travel back and forth along the pioneer trail to help new immigrants across the plains.

He was the first man to build a home outside the sixth ward fort. All of his children were born here except one. He also filled two missions to England and collected his genealogy while there. He was a charter member of the Genealogy Society, holding membership #12.

When he returned to Utah he attended the School of the Prophets. He was a scholar and a gentleman, but most important he retained his testimony of the gospel all of his life.