James E. Faust
Encyclopedia
James Esdras Faust 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.
. As a child, he lived in this rural area. Before Faust reached high school age, his family moved to the southern part of the Salt Lake Valley
. In Granite High School, he won awards for track and a letter for football. Faust attended the University of Utah
, where he ran the 440-yard and mile relay. His college education was delayed twice. First, Faust went to serve as a missionary
for the LDS Church in a mission
in southern Brazil
from 1939 to 1942. Second, during World War II, Faust served in the United States Army Air Corps
and was discharged as a First Lieutenant
.
On April 22, 1943, Faust married Ruth Wright, whom he had met at Granite High School, in Salt Lake City. The wedding took place on a short leave during his military service, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple
.
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 its Distinguished Lawyer Emeritus Award in 1996. During the 1960s, Faust 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. Faust also served as chairperson of the Utah State Democratic Party
and helped manage a campaign for Senator Frank Moss. In 1996, he 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. Faust was made an honorary citizen of São Paulo
, Brazil
. He also received a national Brazilian citizenship award.
.
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, there was a reorganization of the church's general authorities and he was placed into the First Quorum of the Seventy. In 1975, Faust presided over all of South America
for the church. He was there during the construction and dedication of the São Paulo Brazil Temple
.
Faust was accepted
as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on September 30, 1978, and was ordained an apostle on October 1, following the death of Quorum-member Delbert L. Stapley
. Faust 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 First Presidency without a personnel change in the history of the LDS Church.
of causes incident to age. Following a funeral service in the Salt Lake Tabernacle
, Faust was buried in the Holladay Memorial Park in Holladay, Utah
. Ruth Wright Faust died February 10, 2008, age 86.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
religious leader, lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Faust was Second Counselor in the First Presidency
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
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
General authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
of the church for 35 years.
Early life
Faust was born to George A. Faust and Amy Finlinson in Delta, UtahDelta, Utah
Delta is a city in Millard County, Utah, United States. The population was 3,209 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Delta is located at ....
. As a child, he lived in this rural area. Before Faust reached high school age, his family moved to the southern part of the Salt Lake Valley
Salt Lake Valley
Salt Lake Valley is a valley in Salt Lake County in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of Utah. It contains Salt Lake City and many of its suburbs, notably West Valley City, Murray, Sandy, and West Jordan; its total population is 1,029,655 as of 2010...
. In Granite High School, he won awards for track and a letter for football. Faust attended the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
, where he ran the 440-yard and mile relay. His college education was delayed twice. First, Faust went to serve as a missionary
Missionary (LDS Church)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
for the LDS Church in a mission
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
in southern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
from 1939 to 1942. Second, during World War II, Faust served in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
and was discharged as a First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
.
On April 22, 1943, Faust married Ruth Wright, whom he had met at Granite High School, in Salt Lake City. The wedding took place on a short leave during his military service, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple
Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of more than 130 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the sixth temple built by the church, requiring 40 years to complete, and the fourth operating temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo,...
.
Career
Faust graduated from the University of UtahUniversity of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
in 1948 with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
. 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 its Distinguished Lawyer Emeritus Award in 1996. During the 1960s, Faust was named to the Utah Legislative Study Committee and later to the Utah Constitutional Revision Commission.
Faust served in the House of Representatives
Utah House of Representatives
The Utah House of Representatives is the lower house of the Utah State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Utah. The House is composed of 75 representatives elected from single member constituent districts. Each district contains an average population of 35,000 people...
for the 28th Utah State Legislature (1949) as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
for Utah's eighth district. Faust also served as chairperson of the Utah State Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and helped manage a campaign for Senator Frank Moss. In 1996, he was awarded with the Minuteman Award by the Utah National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
.
Faust was appointed by U.S. President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
to the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights. He was also an advisor to the American Bar Journal. Faust was made an honorary citizen of São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. He also received a national Brazilian citizenship award.
Church service
In 1949, at the age of 28, Faust was made a bishop in the LDS Church. He later served on a stake high council, as a stake president, and as a regional representative of the TwelveRegional representative of the Twelve
Regional representative of the Twelve, commonly shorted to regional representative or regional rep, was a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1968 and 1995...
.
Faust was called as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, commonly shortened to Assistant to the Twelve or Assistant to the Twelve Apostles, was a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1941 and 1976...
on October 6, 1972 and served in that capacity until October 1, 1976. At that time, there was a reorganization of the church's general authorities and he was placed into the First Quorum of the Seventy. In 1975, Faust presided over all of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
for the church. He was there during the construction and dedication of the São Paulo Brazil Temple
São Paulo Brazil Temple
The São Paulo Brazil Temple is the 19th constructed and 17th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, it was the first LDS temple built in South America, and also the first temple to use the single story, single spire design...
.
Faust was accepted
Common consent
Common consent is a democratic principle established by the Latter Day Saint movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., who taught in 1830 that "all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." As it is most frequently used by the Church of Jesus Christ of...
as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on September 30, 1978, and was ordained an apostle on October 1, following the death of Quorum-member Delbert L. Stapley
Delbert L. Stapley
Delbert Leon Stapley was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1950 to 1978.-Early life:Stapley was born in Mesa, Arizona Territory...
. Faust served in the Quorum until being set apart
Setting apart
Setting apart is an ordinance or ritual in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whereby a person is formally chosen and blessed to carry out a specific calling or responsibility in the church....
as Second Counselor in the First Presidency
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
to Church President Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
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
Thomas S. Monson
Thomas Spencer Monson is an American religious leader and author, and the 16th and current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . As president, Monson is considered by adherents of the religion to be a "prophet, seer, and revelator" of God's will on earth...
, constituted the longest continuous First Presidency without a personnel change in the history of the LDS Church.
Family and death
Faust and his wife Ruth Wright raised five children: James H. Faust, Janna R. Coombs, Marcus G. Faust, Lisa A. Smith, and Robert P. Faust. At his death, they had 25 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He died on August 10, 2007 at his home in Salt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
of causes incident to age. Following a funeral service in the Salt Lake Tabernacle
Salt Lake Tabernacle
The Salt Lake Tabernacle, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle, is located on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah along with the Salt Lake Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Temple.-History:...
, Faust was buried in the Holladay Memorial Park in Holladay, Utah
Holladay, Utah
Holladay is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 26,472 at the 2010 census, a significant increase from 14,561 in 2000. The city was incorporated on November 29, 1999 as Holladay-Cottonwood, and the...
. Ruth Wright Faust died February 10, 2008, age 86.