James E. Faust

President James E. Faust is the second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As second counselor, he is also assigned to be vice chairman of the Church Board of Education; on the board of trustees of Brigham Young University; on the Welfare Services Executive Committee; and Deseret Management Corporation.

James E. Faust was born on July 21, 1920 in Delta, Utah. In 1937 he began attending the University of Utah. In 1939, he was called to serve a mission in Brazil. Following his mission, James E. Faust served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and advanced to the rank of first lieutenant. During a short leave, James E. Faust married his high school sweetheart Ruth. They were apart much of the first part of their marriage because of the war, but kept in touch through letters. James E. Faust wrote a letter every day to her. The letters arrived irregularly, and one day Ruth received ninety letters; her employer thoughtfully let her have the afternoon off to go home and read them. They eventually had two daughters and three sons.

In 1948, James was finally able to finish school with a degree in law. This same year he was called to be a bishop. James E. Faust served as a member of the Utah Legislature from 1949 to 1951, as an advisor to the American Bar Journal, and was president of the Utah Bar Association in 1962–63.

James E. Faust practiced law in Salt Lake City, Utah until he was called to be an assistant to the Twelve in 1972. In 1975 President Faust was asked to preside over all of South America, and he was present for the Sao Paulo Brazil Temple dedication. On September 30, 1978 James E. Faust was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He served in various capacities as an apostle including managing director of the Melchizedek Priesthood MIA, zone adviser over South America, president of the International mission, executive director of the Church Curriculum Department, editor of the Church magazines (see Ensign and Liahona, vice chairman of the Welfare Committee, and chairman of the Public Affairs Committee. On March 12, 1995 President Faust was called to be the second counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley in the First Presidency of the Church and continues to serve in this capacity.