. . . . . . "David O. McKay"@en . . "David O. McKay[1] was the ninth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in this position from 1951 until his death 20 years later. Image:David O McKay.jpg David Oman McKay was born on September 8, 1873. He was the third child of David and Jennette Evans McKay. When he was seven, multiple trials came to the McKay family. His two older sisters, Margaret and Ellena died within a few days of each other. Then a year later, David\u2019s father was called on a mission to Scotland. His father was concerned about leaving his wife and young son to take care of the farm alone, especially since his wife was expecting. David\u2019s mother encouraged his father to accept the call: \u201COf course you must accept,\u201D she told David\u2019s father. \u201CYou need not worry about me. David and I will m"@en . . . "David O. McKay[1] was the ninth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in this position from 1951 until his death 20 years later. Image:David O McKay.jpg David Oman McKay was born on September 8, 1873. He was the third child of David and Jennette Evans McKay. When he was seven, multiple trials came to the McKay family. His two older sisters, Margaret and Ellena died within a few days of each other. Then a year later, David\u2019s father was called on a mission to Scotland. His father was concerned about leaving his wife and young son to take care of the farm alone, especially since his wife was expecting. David\u2019s mother encouraged his father to accept the call: \u201COf course you must accept,\u201D she told David\u2019s father. \u201CYou need not worry about me. David and I will manage things nicely!\u201D The family was blessed while David\u2019s father was gone, and the farm prospered. At the age of fifteen, David O. McKay was called to be the Sunday School secretary, then in 1893, he was called to be a teacher in the Sunday School. It was here that David O. McKay first discovered the great love he had for teaching, a love that continued through his life. When David O. McKay was about 20 his Grandmother gave a gift of $2,500 to each of her children. David\u2019s mother was adamant that \u201Cevery cent of this [money] goes into the education of our children.\u201D So David and three of his siblings left to attend the University of Utah. While there David O. was the president of his class, valedictorian, and played on the university\u2019s first football team. While at the University of Utah, David O. McKay also met his future wife, Emma Ray Riggs. In 1897, David O. McKay was called on a mission to Great Britain, then in 1898, he was called to preside over the missionaries of Scotland. While there he happened upon an old building bearing the words \"Whate'er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part.\" The words stayed with him throughout his life. He returned from his mission in 1899, and in 1901 he and Emma Ray Riggs were the first couple to be married in the 20th century in the Salt Lake City Temple. David O. McKay served as a talented and dedicated educator for most of his life. He was the principal of Weber State Academy, where he emphasized the importance of women gaining an education when it was not an important issue to many. He served in the Church\u2019s Sunday School program, where he organized lessons. His teaching style became well known. On April 9, 1906, David O. McKay was ordained as an apostle; he was only 32. He was asked to direct the Sunday School program and wrote one of the first Sunday School lesson manuals. He continued writing lessons and working with the Sunday School program, even while he was President of the Church. Starting in 1934, David O. McKay served as a counselor in the First Presidency to both Heber J. Grant and George Albert Smith. Then with the passing of George Albert Smith, David O. McKay was called as the Prophet and President of the Church on April 9, 1951. Under his direction, the first teaching plan for full-time missionaries was introduced, the first language training institute for missionaries was opened, and the idea of \u201Cevery member a missionary\u201D was stressed. With these efforts, the number of stakes in the Church doubled. Back to Previous Church Prophet On to Next Church Prophet"@en .