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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 9 Collections and/or Records:

David O. McKay letter to Orson F. Whitney, 1922

 File — Box 3: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197231038438], Folder: 17
Identifier: MSS 15 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Materials include an original letter from David O. McKay to Orson F. Whitney written on October 30, 1922. In the letter, McKay congratulates Whitney on recovering from surgery he had while president of the European mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also informs Whitney about his travel arrangements to come from Canada to England. Dated 1922.

Dates: 1922

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

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

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

David O. McKay letter

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2381
Scope and Contents

Typewritten and signed letter dated 12 Dec. 1942 and addressed to Francis W. Kirkham, Mormon author and businessman. McKay thanks Kirkham for giving him a book which Kirkham had written.

Dates: 1942 December 12

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

Thomas E. McKay papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232544731]
Identifier: MSS 1442
Scope and Contents

Collection includes letters and correspondence with family members, Latter-day Saint Church First Presidency, National Association of Railroad and Utility Commissioners and friends; four diaries, biographical sketches of family members; articles written by McKay; patriarchal and missionary blessings; funeral register, miscellaneous newspaper clippings, programs and announcements.

Dates: 1885-1958

Orson F. Whitney correspondence with general authorities and other dignitaries, 1912-1930

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 15 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Materials include originals and transcriptions of correspondence between Orson F. Whitney and apostles David O. McKay, Heber M. Wells, John A. Widstoe, Horace G. Whitney, and Levi Edgar Young about matters relating to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1882-1930.

Dates: 1912-1930

Hyrum Gibbs Smith papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 804
Scope and Contents

Contains documents relating to the life of Hyrum Gibbs Smith. Materials discuss his role as the fifth Presiding Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during 1912-1932, his education as a dentist during 1909-1910, and his personal life. Included are diaries, correspondence, realia, legal documents, and photographs. Materials were created in Salt Lake City, Utah and at the University of Southern California. Dated 1902-1976.

Dates: 1902-1976