David O. McKay

Influence on Education

Within LDS Church leadership, McKay maintained his focus on education. As superintendent of LDS Sunday school from 1918 to 1934, he built LDS "seminary" buildings by public high schools throughout the state of Utah. Adjacent seminary buildings allowed students to take LDS religious courses along with their secular high school education. McKay also transferred three LDS colleges to the state of Utah in the 1920s: Snow College, Weber State University and Dixie College. He guided the remaining LDS school in Utah, Brigham Young University into a full four-year university.

Related Topics:
1918 - 1934 - Utah - 1920s - Snow College - Weber State University - Dixie College - Brigham Young University

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Interestingly, the State of Utah underfunded the institutions and in 1953 the governor, J. Bracken Lee, offered to give them back to the LDS Church. McKay, then president of the Church said he'd accept them, but the proposal failed on voter referendum.

Related Topics:
1953 - J. Bracken Lee

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Besides church education, McKay stressed missionary work, and travelled Europe extensively. Memorably, he promoted the motto "every member a missionary." McKay even set a goal that every member should convert one new member each year.

Related Topics:
Missionary - Europe

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Heber J. Grant chose McKay to serve as Second Counselor in the First Presidency in 1934. He served in the presidency under Church Presidents Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith until 1951. In 1950 he became President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, that is, the most senior Apostle. He then succeeded President Smith on the latter's death, and was ordained on April 9, 1951.

Related Topics:
Heber J. Grant - First Presidency - 1934 - George Albert Smith - 1951 - 1950 - President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - April 9

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In honor of his years of dedicated service as an educator, the Brigham Young University School of Education was named the McKay School of Education.

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