James E. Faust: 1920-2007

Let’s pause a moment to morn the passing of James Edras Faust, a General Authority of the LDS Church for nearly 35 years, and since 1995 the second councilor in that institutions highest earthly governing body, The First Presidency. In effect Elder Faust was the 3rd highest ranking figure in the LDS Church, yet he always carried himself with such a great sense of humility, and of being a servant not a leader.

James Esdras Faust was born July 31, 1920 in the rural town of Delta Utah, though by the time he reached high school age his family had moved to south Salt Lake. At Granite High School he played football and ran track, the latter of which he would continue to do competitively at Utah State University. However before starting his University studies James served a three-year mission to Brazil (1939-1942). He would come to love that country, and in later positions as a General Authority, was often given assignments related to the affairs of the Church in that nation. In 1998 Elder Faust was given a rare honorary citizenship by the Brazilin government, in account for his decades of service on behalf of the citizens of that country.

Upon returning from his mission Elder Faust served in the United States Air Corp during the Second World War, he achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. In 1943 he married Ms. Ruth Wright, whom he had known in High School, in the Salt Lake Temple. The couple had five Children, and as of his death on Friday, had 25 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren.

After graduating from Law School Elder Faust got work at a Salt City law firm, he also became active in Democratic party politics. He served in the state legislator, and as Utah Chair for the party. He was appointed by President Kennedy to serve in the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights and Racial Unrest. At the time of his passing Elder Faust was probably the second most visible Democrat (next to Senate majority leader Harry Reid) in a Church that is very Republican by reputation. Faust would also serve on the board of the Deseret News Publishing Co. from 1970 to 1996, as well as a trustee of Ballet West.

In Church service Elder Faust became a Bishop at the young age of 28, and later a Stake High Councilor and Stake President, before being called to the now defunct position of Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1972. When that position was eliminated by President Kimball in 1975, Elder Faust was transferred to the newly restored First Quorum of the Seventy, and put in charge of the Church in South America. He was involved in the construction of the Temple in Sao Paulo, but also loaned out to do legal work involving Church efforts to build a permanent extended studies facility in Israel, a feet that was eventually accomplished.

In 1978 Elder Faust was called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve occasion by the death of Elder Delbert L. Stapley. An unassuming man, he was plucked out of relative obscurity in that body in 1995, when incoming Church President Gordon B. Hinckley taped the 75 year old Faust to serve as his second councilor. In that position he became a much loved figure, whose distinct slightly warbly voice, made him a combination of Jimmy Stewart and sage. He suffered from a very visible shaking in later years, necessitating his delivering some of his General Conference and other addresses, from a high-backed red chair. Elder Faust made his last public appearance at festivities in honor of President Hinckley’s 97th Birthday in June. He died early Friday morning, surrounded by his family, from what is being described as causes incident to old age. Elder Faust will be missed by all who have had the honor to be affected by his extraordinary life.