Known most widely for his service in the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency of the LDS Church, President Faust was set apart as second counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 12, 1995, and served with him and President Thomas S. Monson for nearly 12 1/2 years. He was ordained an apostle on Oct. 1, 1978, at the age of 58 and served in the Quorum of the Twelve for 16 years.

During the June building dedication ceremonies at BYU, President Faust said it had been "a tremendous blessing to serve with (President Hinckley) and Thomas S. Monson and see quite literally the Lord working through a prophet."

In his final general conference address on April 1, 2007, he extolled the healing power of forgiveness. "Let us remember that we need to forgive to be forgiven," he said. "With all my heart and soul, I believe in the healing power that can come to us as we follow the counsel of the Savior 'to forgive all men."'

A month later, he told several thousand young people gathered in the newly renovated Salt Lake Tabernacle that obeying God's commandments provides the kind of real self-esteem that escapes those who idolize fame, wealth or worldly success.

Delivering his remarks from a seated position, he used his own physical limitations to advocate humility. "I'm not talking about putting on sackcloth and ashes, but that (humility) which comes from inner strength and peace." Such strength "allows us to live with our own physical and mental defects without complaint," often providing the humility needed to be teachable, he said.

That humility became legendary among those closest to him.

His son, Marcus, talked in his father's biography about going with him to the Washington, D.C., temple to participate in a temple session. When President Faust presented his recommend for admission — a special one used by general authorities — the temple worker didn't recognize him or the recommend and denied him access. "Rather than embarrassing the man by telling him who he was, Dad politely excused himself and we all left."

Another time, a local reporter misconstrued a remark President Faust had made about a controversial issue. When the publisher was informed of the error, he called to apologize and asked for a copy of the audio tape that was made of the event. President Faust said he would provide one on condition that the reporter be dealt with kindly.

Concern for others often surfaced in chance meetings. When a group of students from Bountiful recognized him while he was enjoying a hot dog with his sons during a rare vacation in France, he was embarrassed to be eating in front of them and bought hot dogs for everyone, his biographer wrote.

On Friday, some wondered not how to measure him, but to measure up in terms of personal concern and impact.

President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve recalled in the book the sense of loss within that quorum when President Faust moved to the First Presidency 12 years ago — likely a partial reflection of what his colleagues, family and church members now feel with his passing: "Today we've lost two men. We've lost James, and we've lost Esdras."

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Contributing: Dennis Romboy

E-mail: carrie@desnews.com