My day started out on a sad note when reference assistant Gary Millward told me that President James E. Faust had passed away during the night. I had never met President Faust but, as I’m sure many members of the LDS Church can relate to, I felt like I had lost someone near to me. I think I join with many in expressing my sympathy to his family at this time.
President Faust occupies a special place in the hearts of those affiliated with the J. Reuben Clark Law School and Law Society because he spent his professional life practicing law. He stands as a wonderful example of how practicing attorneys can live the gospel and succeed professionally while never compromising their spirituality.
In 2003, President Faust spoke at the annual J. Reuben Clark Law Society fireside. Among other important things, he said, “Our lawyers need to be more than successful advocates. We need to bring our sacred religious convictions and standards to the practice of law. To do otherwise would bring inconsistency to our character. There always needs to be a connection between having an involvement in the law and living the gospel.” Clark Memo. 2, 5-6 (Spring 2003). To me that is what the J. Reuben Clark Law School is all about.