James E. Faust

James E. Faust
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
March 12, 1995 (1995-03-12) – August 10, 2007 (2007-08-10)
Called by	Gordon B. Hinckley
Predecessor	Thomas S. Monson
Successor	Henry B. Eyring
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
September 30, 1978 (1978-09-30) – March 12, 1995 (1995-03-12)
Called by	Spencer W. Kimball
End reason	Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency
LDS Church Apostle
October 1, 1978 (1978-10-01) – August 10, 2007 (2007-08-10)
Called by	Spencer W. Kimball
Reason	Death of Delbert L. Stapley
Reorganization at end of term	Quentin L. Cook ordained; Henry B. Eyring added to First Presidency
Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy
October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01) – September 30, 1978 (1978-09-30)
Called by	Spencer W. Kimball
End reason	Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
First Quorum of the Seventy
October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01) – September 30, 1978 (1978-09-30)
Called by	Spencer W. Kimball
End reason	Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 6, 1972 (1972-10-06) – October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01)
Called by	Harold B. Lee
End reason	Position abolished
Personal details
Born	James Esdras Faust (1920-07-31)July 31, 1920 Delta, Utah, United States
Died	Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Resting place	Holladay Memorial Park
Spouse(s)	Ruth Wright
Children	James H. Faust Janna R. Coombs Marcus G. Faust Lisa A. Smith Robert P. Faust
Parents	George A. Faust Amy Finlinson
Signature

James Esdras Faust (July 31, 1920 – August 10, 2007) was an American religious leader, lawyer, and politician. Faust was Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1995 until his death, an LDS Church apostle for 29 years, and a general authority of the church for 35 years.

Early life

Faust was born to George A. Faust and Amy Finlinson in Delta, Utah. As a child, he lived in this rural area. His family moved to the southern part of the Salt Lake Valley before he reached high school age. He attended Granite High School in Salt Lake City, where he won awards for track and a letter for football. He later attended the University of Utah, where he ran the 440-yard and mile relay. His college education was delayed twice. First, when he served as a missionary for the LDS Church in southern Brazil from 1939 to 1942. Then later when he served during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps where he was a First Lieutenant at the time of discharge.

On April 22, 1943, Faust married Ruth Wright, whom he had met at Granite High School. The wedding took place during a short leave during his military service, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

Career

Faust graduated from the University of Utah in 1948 with a B.A. and Juris Doctor. After graduation, he worked in a law firm in Salt Lake City.

In 1962, he was elected president of the Utah Bar Association, where he served for one year. The same association awarded him its Distinguished Lawyer Emeritus Award in 1996. During the 1960s, he was named to the Utah Legislative Study Committee and later to the Utah Constitutional Revision Commission.

Faust served in the House of Representatives for the 28th Utah State Legislature (1949) as a Democrat for Utah's eighth district. He also served as chairman of the Utah State Democratic Party and helped manage a campaign for Senator Frank Moss. In 1996, Faust was awarded with the Minuteman Award by the Utah National Guard.

Faust was appointed by U.S. President John F. Kennedy to the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights. He was also an advisor to the American Bar Journal. He was made an honorary citizen of São Paulo, Brazil and received a national Brazilian citizenship award.

Church service

In 1949, at the age of 28, Faust became a bishop in the LDS Church. He later served on a stake high council, as stake president, and a regional representative.

Faust was called as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 6, 1972 and served in that capacity until October 1, 1976. At that time, the position was eliminated and he entered the First Quorum of the Seventy. In 1975, he presided over the Brazil area of the church. During his tenure, the São Paulo Brazil Temple was announced.

Faust was accepted by common consent as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on September 30, 1978, and ordained an apostle on October 1, filling the vacancy created by the death of Delbert L. Stapley. He served in the Quorum until being set apart as Second Counselor in the First Presidency to church president Gordon B. Hinckley on March 12, 1995. He remained in that position until his death on August 10, 2007. Faust, together with Hinckley and First Counselor Thomas S. Monson, constituted the longest continuous serving First Presidency in the history of the LDS Church.

Family and death

Faust and his wife, Ruth, raised five children: James Hamilton Faust, Janna R. Coombs, Marcus G. Faust, Lisa A. Smith, and Robert P. Faust. At the time of his death, they had 25 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He died on August 10, 2007 at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah of causes incident to age. Following a funeral service in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, he was buried in the Holladay Memorial Park in Holladay, Utah. Ruth Wright Faust died February 10, 2008, age 86.

Published works

Hymns

James E. Faust co-wrote the words to the LDS hymn "This is the Christ".

References

• Wm. Grant Bangerter, "Elder James E. Faust: Sharing His Love for the Lord", Ensign, October 1986, p. 6.
• Eleanor Knowles, "Elder James E. Faust: Assistant to the Council of the Twelve", Ensign, January 1973, p. 14.

External links

• Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: James E. Faust

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles
Preceded by Thomas S. Monson	Second Counselor in the First Presidency March 12, 1995 – August 10, 2007	Succeeded by Henry B. Eyring
Preceded by David B. Haight	Quorum of the Twelve Apostles October 1, 1978 – March 12, 1995	Succeeded by Neal A. Maxwell