Emotional farewell: Pres. Faust praised at funeral for his wisdom, compassion and love

The simple graveside service concluded as each of the pallbearers stood and came forward to place their white rose corsages on the casket. President Hinckley was the first to approach Sister Faust to offer his sympathies, remaining for a few minutes to comfort and visit with family members.

Funeral sprays in the form of a "U" and a "Y" were brought from the Tabernacle and placed near the grave site, honoring the role President Faust played as a graduate of the University of Utah law school and a member of the BYU Board of Trustees.

Set apart as second counselor to President Hinckley on March 12, 1995, President Faust served by his side 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 his years as a general authority, he was president of the church's international mission, general authority adviser for South America, executive director of the Church Curriculum Department, director of Welfare Services and editor of the church's three monthly magazines. He also had served as managing director for the Melchizedek Priesthood MIA.

President Faust was sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve on Oct. 6, 1972. He was called to the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1976.

Prior to his full-time church service, he practiced law in Salt Lake City from 1948 until his call to be a general authority in 1972. He had served as president of the Utah Bar Association from 1962-63 and as a Democratic representative in the Utah Legislature from 1949-51. While a legislator, he also served as chairman of the House liquor investigation committee.

President Faust met his wife, Ruth Wright, while attending Granite High. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 21, 1943. He kept in regular contact with his five children and his grandchildren, who took individual flowers from the spray on his casket at the cemetery as a reminder of their grandfather.

For more about President James E. Faust: deseretnews.com/dn/view/1,5143,695200791,00.html

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Contributing: Deborah Ramsay

E-mail: carrie@desnews.com