From Deseret News archives:
Thousands gather to say farewell to President James E. Faust
The second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who died Friday at the age of 87, was eulogized during funeral services in the Salt Lake Tabernacle as a man of deep and profound wisdom with "the mind of a lawyer and the compassion of a church leader."
Church President Gordon B. Hinckley said the goodbye was a challenge. "This is a time of deep emotion, and a difficult assignment for me. I've lost a close friend and a wise and able counselor."
He recalled their early association working as stake leaders in the same part of Salt Lake City. From that point, "I watched him as he progressed up the ladder of church administration. And in 1995, when I was called as president of the church, I knew I wanted him for a counselor."
In those days, President Faust was physically "sharp and bright. He was able to get about without difficulty. Then illness hit him. He had trouble with his back. One thing led to another. He had difficulty walking. He maneuvered that Jazzy like a taxi driver."
Remembering his many accomplishments, President Hinckley said President Faust was scheduled to participate in the Curitiba Brazil Temple dedication early next year, in the place where he baptized the first LDS family in that nation several decades earlier. "Now none of that is possible. It is all behind us. For him it will simply not be."
"His death was a terrible surprise. We miss him terribly. As we meet as a presidency I look to my right expecting to see him and he is not there."
President Hinckley called President Faust's faith "unflagging. There was no doubt in his mind concerning the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith." He called President Faust's most recent General Conference talk on forgiveness "a masterpiece, which will long be remembered."
He credited Ruth Faust and their children for being a "credit to his name."
"Peace be to his memory. All of us are the richer for our association with him. May his memory remain with us to comfort and guide us."
President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, said, "Jim knew the Lord, and the Lord knew Jim. I have a firm testimony of this truth."
While not born to worldly wealth, President Monson said, "(President Faust) came from a home where love prevailed."
Recent comments
My mother once told me a story how at a stake conference, Pres. Faust...
Emily C. | Nov. 5, 2007 at 4:55 p.m.
Hello Fellow Children God,
I am humbled before you all and i say...
Bro.Robert A.Mettle-Nunoo | Aug. 24, 2007 at 3:42 a.m.
Thank You Elder Faust
Gordon Laurie | Aug. 22, 2007 at 11:57 p.m.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (center), sits next to his First Counselor Thomas S. Monson (at left) and the empty chair of his late Second Counselor James E. Faust during the funeral Tuesday of President Faust at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
- Five players miss Jazz practice 9:22 p.m.
- Storm pounds Utah for 2nd day 9:18 p.m.
- Utah Capitol renovation boss quits 9:15 p.m.
- Downtown plans three-day 'Eve' 9:13 p.m.
- More than 2 bars per block in S.L. 9:09 p.m.
- Heath care reform advocates rally 9:09 p.m.
- Sandy halts Granite annexations 9:07 p.m.
- Ugandans debate death penalty 9:01 p.m.
- U.S. to fork over $3B to tribes 9:00 p.m.
- Obama: Stimulus to spur job growth 8:59 p.m.
- BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
- Yet again, we learn BCS is a big joke
- Storm pounds Utah for 2nd day
- Cougars in better mood about bowl
- Williams' late jumper tops Spurs
- Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
- Ranking the bowl games
- $2M error could mean layoffs
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Dr.: Mitchell seeks signs from God
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
278 - Letters: Global warming a lie
212 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
205 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
162 - Cougars going back to Vegas
147 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
142 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
107 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
101 - Harpring's NBA career is over
99
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Joyce Gannon offers the following advice...
We are going to have to find away to survive in the coming turbulent...
That's it? Build your brand and get back to fact based coverage, that's your...
Those who rag on higher education are just crying sour grapes. They reveal...
Spend? What kind of ill concieved logic is this? Any third grader knows...
You want to discipline your child? Fine, that's your right as a parent....
Thanks for the article! There are some very tough wrestlers this year and it...
it's clear to any non-biased observer that the republicans have no desire to...
well, it was kinda nuts that this was ever a restriction in the first place....
i have to agree with Jordan fan, Alex Hart was the real deal this past...
7500 seats sold that is not just for fun. I went to the game and was totally...

