“No one ever had a better father than I did. Father was a disciplinarian, and Mother was a very loving woman who taught us out of the scriptures. The Book of Mormon was her favorite.”

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.