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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 13 Collections and/or Records:

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

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

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 letters

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 / David O. McKay photographs

Clifford F. McKinney slides of David O. McKay at Deseret Coal Mine

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233636411]
Identifier: MSS 8311
Scope and Contents

Materials include seven slides taken by Clifford F. McKinney of President David O. McKay at Deseret Coal Mine on September 14, 1953 for the meeting and reopening of the mine. There are pictures of President McKay in the mine and talking to the miners.

Dates: 1953 September 14
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Clifford F. McKinney slides of David O. McKay at Deseret Coal Mine

Phillip L. Morgan autograph collection

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225527180]
Identifier: MSS 3152
Scope and Contents

Collection consists of autographed, typewritten letters from General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dates: 1935-1983
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Phillip L. Morgan autograph collection

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