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McKay, David O. (David Oman), 1873-1970

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1873 - 1970

Biographical History

David O. McKay (1873-1970) was a teacher and educator as well as the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1951 to 1970.

David Oman McKay was born in 1873 in Huntsville, Utah. In 1897 he graduated from the University of Utah and immediately afterward was called to serve a two-year mission to Scotland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On January 2, 1901, he and Emma Ray Riggs were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They had seven children together, one of whom died as a child. Although he began as a teacher, McKay eventually became principal at Weber Stake Academy (now Weber State University) and served on the Board of Trustees from 1908 to 1912. He later served on the Board of Regents of the University of Utah (1921-1922) and the Board of Trustees of Utah State Agricultural College (1940-1941). He was superintendent of the Church's Sunday schools from 1918 to 1934, and in 1919 he became its first Commissioner of Education. From 1922 to 1924 he served as President of the European Mission and from 1951 to 1970 he served as the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

McKay died on January 18, 1970 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:
Ancient apostles, 1918: t.p. (David O. McKay)

LDS.org, via WWW, Feb. 13, 2006 (David O. McKay b. Sept. 8, 1873, born and spent his youth in Huntsville, Utah; d. Jan. 18, 1970 in Salt Lake City; served as 9th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1951 to 1970)

education.byu, via WWW, December 17, 2014 (David O. McKay; 1951-1970 President of church; b. 1873 Huntsville; 1897 graduated; Scotland two year mission; Principal Weber Stake Academy; 1908-1912 Board of Trustees; 1921-1922 Board of Regents; 1940-1941 Board of Trustees in Utah State Agricultural College; 1918-1934 superintendent of Church's Sunday Schools; 1919 first commissioner of eduation; 1922-1924 President European mission)

UPB files, Feb. 13, 2006 (McKay, David Oman, 1873-1970; usage: David O. McKay)

Found in 26 Collections and/or Records:

Bush family papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2217
Abstract

This collection, containing letters, journals, newspaper articles, and other family correspondence, has been organized into folders by year, starting in 1846 and ending in 1960.

Dates: 1846-1960
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Bush family papers

Charles A. Callis photographs

 Collection
Identifier: MSS P 22
Scope and Contents

Contains copy prints, with corresponding negatives, of photographs taken by Callis and one original collodion POP carte-de-visite taken by Abernathy, 29 High Street, Belfast, Ireland. Subjects include the Callis family, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Southern States Mission. Dated approximately 1890-1949.

Dates: approximately 1890-1949
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Charles A. Callis photographs

Church papers, approximately 1917-1967

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1993 Series 1
Scope and Contents This series contains Richards' correspondence and other papers with prominent LDS Church leaders including Heber J. Grant, Joseph F. Smith, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., John A. Widtsoe, David O. MacKay, and Stephen L. Richards. This series spans from circa 1917 to 1967. It icludes two letters, 1938 and 1951, two Title Insurance and Trust Company documents, dated 1949, 1951, correspondence between Preston Richards and J. Reuben Clark, Jr., circa 1917-1949, and correspondence, mostly legal...
Dates: approximately 1917-1967
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 1993, Preston D. Richards papers

First Presidency letter

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2157
Scope and Contents

Typewritten and signed letter addressed to William Conover of Springville, Utah. The item was signed by George Albert Smith, J. Reuben Clark, and David O. McKay. Conover was informed that the Book of Mormon had been translated into the Tahitian language.

Dates: 1946
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / First Presidency letter

First Presidency letter to all mission presidents in foreign areas

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233267928]
Identifier: MSS 6067
Abstract

Letter to all mission presidents in foreign areas from the First Presidency concerning “purchase of future branch meetinghouse sites in foreign areas,” 1961.

Dates: 1961
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / First Presidency letter to all mission presidents in foreign areas

John N. Weston and Brad Weston collection of LDS Church pamphlets for youth, 1947-1959

 Series — Box 1: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197235224968], Folder: 6
Identifier: MSS 8213 Series 3
Scope and Contents

This series is composed of pamphlets that were given to youth throughout the 1950s, addressing topics including standards and personal development. There is also a letter written by David O. McKay in reply to a Brigham Young University student in 1947, and a photocopy of a Brigham Young University Summer Universe dated July 1962.

Dates: 1947-1959
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 8213, John N. Weston, John Henry Weston, and Brad Weston collection

Harold B. Lee letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230313386]
Identifier: MSS SC 1588
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of three letters addressed to Gil Hodges and signed by Harold B. Lee and David O. McKay, presidents of the Mormon Church. The letters concern the sealing of women to their husbands and the ligitimacy of the use of birth control.

Dates: 1969-1973
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Harold B. Lee letters

David O. McKay letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230237023]
Identifier: MSS SC 264
Scope and Contents

TLS which presents his views on blacks and the Mormon Priesthood in a letter to John E. Denhalter, Jr.

Dates: 1947
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / David O. McKay letter

David O. McKay letter

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230319771]
Identifier: MSS SC 2156
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten letter addressed to William Conover and signed by David O. McKay. McKay commends Conover and other former Mormon missionaries for translating "What Jesus Taught" into the Tahitian language.

Dates: 1948
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / David O. McKay letter

David O. McKay letter to John E. Denhalter

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233294385]
Identifier: Vault MSS 702
Scope and Contents Typed and signed letter addressed to John E. Denhalter, Jr. at Brigham Young University and dated November 3, 1947. The letter is McKay's response to Denhalter's request for an explanation of the Mormon Church's position on denying the priesthood to the black race. McKay explains that denying the priesthood to the black race did not originate with the prejudices of men but is part of the eternal plan of God. McKay assures Denhalter that God is just, that all people will be rewarded for their...
Dates: 1947 November 3
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / David O. McKay letter to John E. Denhalter

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