“I am profoundly grateful that all of my life I have had a simple faith that Jesus is the Christ. That witness has been confirmed to me hundreds of times. It is the crowning knowledge of my soul. It is the spiritual light of my being. It is the cornerstone of my life.”

American religious leader, lawyer, and politician

James Esdras Faust was an American religious leader, lawyer, and politician. He served in senior leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as Second Counselor in the First Presidency from 1995 until his death, and he was an apostle in the church for 29 years. He was also a general authority for 35 years. His public life is closely tied to church leadership and to a long career of service within the Latter-day Saint tradition.