James E. Faust

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James Esdras Faust (b. July 31, 1920) is Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 1, 1978, and called into the First Presidency when Gordon B. Hinckley became President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 12, 1995.

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[edit] Early life

James E. Faust was born to George A. Faust and Amy Finlinson Faust in Delta, Utah on July 31, 1920. In Granite High School, he won awards for track and a letter for football. He attended University of Utah, where he ran the 440 and mile relay. He delayed his college education twice, once for service to his church - he served as a missionary in a mission in southern Brazil from 1939 to 1942, and once again for his nation - during World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps (now the United States Air Force) and was discharged as a First Lieutenant.

He eventually married Ruth Wright who he had met at Granite High School in Salt Lake City. The wedding occurred during a short leave during his military service, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

[edit] Public Service

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, in which office he served for one year. The same association awarded him the Distinguished Lawyer Emeritus Award in 1996. Also, during the 60s, he was named to the Utah Legislative Study Committee and later, the Utah Constitutional Revision Commission.

He served in the House of Representatives for the 28th Utah State Legislature (1949) as a Democrat for Utah's eighth district. In 1996, he was awarded with the Minuteman Award by the Utah National Guard. President Faust also served as chairperson of the Utah State Democratic Party.

Nationally, he was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights and Racial Unrest. He was also an adviser to the American Bar Journal.

For his extensive work and interest in Brazil, and his proficiency in the Portuguese language, he was made an honorary citizen of Brazil.

[edit] Church Service

In 1948, at the young age of 28, Faust was also called as a bishop. Since then, he has served on the stake high council, as a stake president, and regional representative.

He was called as an Assistant to the Twelve on October 6, 1972 and served there until October 1, 1976. At that time, there was a reorganization of these general authorities, and he was placed into the First Quorum of Seventy. In 1975, he presided over all of South America for the church. He was there during the construction and dedication of the São Paulo Brazil Temple.

He was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on September 30, 1978, and ordained on October 1, following the passing of Elder Delbert L. Stapley. He served in the Quorum until being set apart as Second Counselor in the First Presidency to President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 12, 1995. He remains in this position to this day.

Faust also serves as Second Vice Chairman of the Church Board of Education and Board of Trustees that govern the Church Educational System.

[edit] Family

James E. Faust raised five children (two daughters and three sons) with his wife. As of October 2004, they had 25 grandchildren.

[edit] Published works

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[edit] External resources

Preceded by
David B. Haight		 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 1, 1978–March 12, 1995		 Succeeded by
Neal A. Maxwell
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