Senior Mormon Leader James E. Faust Dies at Age 87

President James E. Faust; the second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; passed away at 12:20am on Friday, August 10th, according to Church officials.

Faust, lived to age 87 and died of "causes incident to age" and passed away at his home surrounded by his family, according to a statement issued by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For twelve years Faust served in the First Presidency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints governing organization and previously served as the Assistant to the Twelve (the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest governing body of the church). He served as a General Authority (senior leaders in the Church) for the last thirty-five years. His more recent assignments included serving as the vice chairman of the Church Board of Education; the board of trustees of Brigham Young University; the Welfare Services Executive Committee; Deseret Management Corporation; and editor of the Church's Ensign, New Era, and Friend magazines.

Born July 31, 1920, in Delta, Utah; Faust attended the University of Utah where he ran the quarter-mile and mile relay in 1938 on the university's track team, according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He left college to serve in Brazil as a missionary from 1939 to 1942 for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later when he served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II where he was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant, according to the statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Deseret Morning News.

Following his military service Faust graduated in 1948 with a bachelor's and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. He subsequently began the practice of law in Salt Lake City until 1972 when he was appointed as a General Authority in the Church, according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.