36492, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, Historical Summary, x
This book is not a history, but rather a compilation of gospel principles as taught by President David O. McKay. However, in order to put his teachings in a historical framework, the following chronology is provided. This summary omits some important events in his personal life, such as the births of his children and grandchildren.
1873, September 8:
Born in Huntsville, Utah, to David McKay and Jennette Evans McKay.
1881:
David McKay leaves on a mission to the British Isles. David O. and his mother assume responsibility for the farm and family (7; numbers in parentheses show David O. McKay's age).
1887:
Receives patriarchal blessing from John Smith (13).
1889:
Sustained as secretary of the Huntsville Ward Sunday School (15).
1893-94:
Serves as a teacher and principal at the Huntsville grade school; sustained as a Sunday School teacher in the Huntsville Ward (19-20).
1894-97:
Attends the University of Utah and graduates as valedictorian (20-23).
1897-99:
Fulfills a two-year mission to Great Britain. In addition to his proselyting duties, serves as a leader of all the missionaries in Scotland (23-25).
1899-1900:
Teaches at Weber Stake Academy in Ogden, Utah (25-26).
1900:
Appointed to Weber Stake Sunday School Board (27).
1901, January 2:
Marries Emma Ray Riggs in the Salt Lake Temple (27).
1902:
Appointed as principal of the Weber Stake Academy (28).
1906:
Ordained an Apostle by President Joseph F. Smith (32).
1914-18:
World War I is fought (40-44).
1918:
Appointed general superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union. Publishes Ancient Apostles (45).
1919-21:
Serves as Church commissioner of education (45-47).
1920, December:
On an assignment from the First Presidency, leaves on a one-year tour with Elder Hugh J. Cannon to visit Church missions around the world (47).
1922-24:
Serves as president of the European Mission (49-51).
1934:
Sustained and set apart as second counselor to President Heber J. Grant (61).
1939-45:
World War II is fought (65-71).
1945:
Sustained and set apart as second counselor to President George Albert Smith (71).
1950:
Sustained and set apart as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (77).
1951, April 9:
Sustained and set apart as the ninth President of the Church, with Stephen L Richards as first counselor and J. Reuben Clark Jr. as second counselor. At this time, the Church had approximately one million members (77).
1952, June:
Leaves on nine-week tour of Europe, during which time he visits Church members in nine countries (78).
1953:
Receives the Boy Scouts' highest honor, the Silver Buffalo (79).
1954:
Begins 32,000-mile mission tour; first Church President to visit Central American and South American missions; first General Authority to visit the South African mission (80).
1955, August:
Visits Europe with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (81).
1955, September:
Dedicates the Bern Switzerland Temple (82).
1956, March:
Dedicates the Los Angeles California Temple (82).
1956, October:
Dedicates the Relief Society Building (83).
1958, April:
Dedicates the Hamilton New Zealand Temple (84).
1958, September:
Dedicates the London England Temple (85).
1964, November:
Dedicates the Oakland California Temple (91).
1970, January 18:
At age 96, dies in Salt Lake City, Utah. By the end of his administration, Church membership had reached approximately three million.