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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 and president 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 education; 1922-1924, President European mission)

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

Found in 75 Collections and/or Records:

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

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

 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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

David O. McKay letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230322973]
Identifier: MSS SC 2591
Scope and Contents

Typewritten and signed letter dated 22 Oct. 1947 and addressed to T. Earl Pardoe, professor of public speaking and dramatic arts at Brigham Young University. McKay thanks Pardoe for his support of the "Centennial year" and writes about raising funds.

Dates: 1947 October 22
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

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 to Jesse Knight

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232574316]
Identifier: UA 5710
Scope and Contents

Contains a letter written by David O. McKay for Elder Jesse Knight. At this time David O. McKay was the Principal at Weber Academy. The letter is about McKay contributing $100 to the Karl G. Maeser Memorial Building. It was written in 1908.

Dates: 1908
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives

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 letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230324185]
Identifier: MSS SC 2488
Scope and Contents

Two typewritten and signed letters dated 16 Sept. 1936 and 28 Jan. 1937. The items were addressed to Judge Daniel Harrington and Francis W. Kirkham. McKay informs Harrington that he agrees with him on the matter of Herman W. Peery of, mayor of Odgen, Utah. McKay also believes that Peery should withdraw his candidacy for governor of Utah. McKay thanks Kirkham for sending him copies of some of his publications and looks forward to reading them.

Dates: 1937 January 28; 1936 September 16
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

David O. McKay letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230324748]
Identifier: MSS SC 2494
Scope and Contents

Typewritten and signed letters dated 19 Oct. 1942 and 3 Feb. 1944. The items are addressed to Dr. Francis W. Kirkham. McKay thanks Kirkham for information on the proper pronunciation of names found in the Book of Mormon.

Dates: 1944 February 3; 1942 October 19
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

David O. McKay photographs

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227632756]
Identifier: MSS 4244
Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs showing David O. McKay at a podium, with J. Reuben Clark (among others) in the background.

Dates: date of production not identified
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

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