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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 43 Collections and/or Records:

John H. Brailsford film of Brigham Young University graduation footage

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197235222426]
Identifier: UA 5681
Scope and Contents

Collection contains a DVD of footage of a Brigham Young University graduation ceremony and graduate march, taken from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on the BYU campus by John H. Brailsford. Includes shots of David O. McKay and Heber J. Grant. Focus of footage appears to be an unnamed female graduate and her family. Dated approximately 1941.

Dates: approximately 1941

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

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

William McKay and family ship tickets

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230243997]
Identifier: MSS SC 615
Scope and Contents

Circular which confirms reservations and explains procedures for William McKay and his family's passage on the ship Thornton from Liverpool, England to New York. Includes a list of McKay family's names and ages.

Dates: 1856

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

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

Founder's Day report

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231028314]
Identifier: UA 91
Scope and Contents

Report prepared by Brown, a student and secretary to Franklin S. Harris, concerning Founder's Day, October 16, 1941. Also concerns dedication of Joseph Smith Building with statements by Harris, Joseph Fielding Smith, and David O. McKay.

Dates: 1941

Graduation photographs

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197233620498]
Identifier: UA 1012
Scope and Contents

Photographs of students receiving diplomas and shaking hands with President David O. McKay at a Brigham Young University graduation sometime in the early 1950s.

Dates: approximately 1950

Roscoe A. Grover collection

 Collection — Oversize 1: [Barcode: 31197227655526]
Identifier: MSS 3706
Scope and Contents

Collection includes photographs of Roscoe A. Grover, David O. McKay, Spencer W. Kimball, and Marion G. Romney. Also in the collection are two scrapbooks containing photos, newspaper articles, and other miscellaneous artifacts documenting Roscoe Grover and his KSL-TV show "Uncle Roscoe's Playtime Party." There are also photographs of Grover's son, Paul Grover.

Dates: 1932-1975

Joseph Smith Jarvis letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230331552]
Identifier: MSS SC 3002
Scope and Contents

Letter from Joseph Jarvis to Commissioner David O. McKay asking for a meeting with McKay to discuss some Brigham Young University student problems.

Dates: 1920