David Oman McKay papers, 1897-1983

Overview of the Collection

Creator
McKay, David O. (David Oman), 1873-1970
Title
David Oman McKay papers
Dates
1897-1983 (inclusive)
Quantity
52 linear feet
Collection Number
MS 0668
Summary
The David Oman McKay papers (1897-1983) contain correspondence, diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, speeches, and sermons relating to the personal and ecclesiastical life of David O. McKay (1873-1970), ninth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church/Mormon Church). The collection is divided into four sections and also contains materials relating to members of McKay's family, including his wife, Emma Ray; his daughter, Lou Jean; and his son, David Lawrence (David L.). These materials include letters, receipts, notebooks, and travel memorabilia.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Only photocopies of the original materials from boxes 20-71 are available for researchers.

Twenty-four hours advance notice encouraged. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

David Oman McKay was ninth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His duties and services within the LDS Church were many throughout his life. He was ordained an apostle in 1906, was appointed as superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union in 1918, was named Church Commissioner of Education in 1919, was sustained as second counselor to President Heber J. Grant in 1934, was sustained as second counselor to President George Albert Smith in 1945, and was sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1950. A year later, he was sustained as prophet of the LDS Church and served in that capacity until his death in 1970.

David Oman McKay was born on 8 September 1873, to David McKay and Jennette Eveline Evans in Huntsville, Utah. The third of ten children, David O., as he was most often called, learned the meaning of work as he helped his father on the farm. He also learned the value of service as he became the "man of the house" at the age of eight when his father left to serve an LDS mission in Scotland. These and other values he learned at home helped shape him for further responsibilities in life.

One of these responsibilities came in the form of education. David O.'s appetite for learning was evident throughout his life. He constantly quoted from the world's best literature and memorized many passages from the classics. His interest and background in such material led him to attend the University of Utah in 1893. At the time of graduation, he was president and valedictorian of his class. In 1897, he received a normal certificate from that institution making him a professional teacher. After graduation, he served a two-year mission for the LDS Church then accepted a teaching position at Weber Stake Academy in Ogden, Utah, one of several academies operated by the LDS Church. He was appointed principal there in 1902.

His educational activities did not stop there. Even after his appointment to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906, David O. continued on as head of Weber Academy until 1908. He then served on that institution's board of trustees until 1912. He also served on the University of Utah's Board of Regents from 1921 to 1922 and the board of trustees for Utah State Agricultural College from 1940 to 1941. In 1919, after being appointed Commissioner of Education for the LDS Church, McKay discontinued the operation of the church's academies due to the growth of public high schools. However, where feasible, he turned those academies into seminary institutions for the purpose of week-day religious instruction.

Of course, mixed in with his educational duties, David O. was also fulfilling other services for the LDS Church. As an apostle, he traveled all over the world promoting missionary work and even serving as president of the European Mission from 1922 to 1924. He also encouraged church members to remain in their native countries so as to strengthen the church membership beyond the United States. As president of the LDS Church, David O. saw membership triple and oversaw the building of several new temples, including those in England, Switzerland, and New Zealand. He also allowed members of the Council of the Seventy to be ordained high priests so as to help the Quorum of the Twelve in their supervisory duties of stakes around the world. His accomplishments as apostle and prophet demonstrated his dedication to the LDS Church and to the welfare of its membership.

Outside of his church callings, David O. performed services in civic capacities as well. He was head of the Utah Centennial Commission that planned the 1947 pioneer centennial celebration, and, for most of his presidency, he held weekly breakfast meetings with the head of the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the publisher of the Salt Lake Tribune. He did so to keep both parties up-to-date on church issues and topics of mutual interest. His non-partisan nature drew admirers from both religious and non-religious communities.

David O. McKay died in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1970.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The David Oman McKay papers (1897-1983) contain correspondence, diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, speeches, and sermons relating to the personal and ecclesiastical life of David O. McKay (1873-1970), ninth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church/Mormon Church). The collection is divided into four sections and also contains materials relating to members of McKay's family.

The first section of the collection (boxes 1-2A) consists of correspondence dating from 1897 to 1936. The first seven folders of box 1 contain letters from David O. to his wife, Emma Ray, while the rest of the box holds letters between David O. and various individuals. The letters in boxes 2-2A concentrate on family matters. Most of the correspondence contained in these boxes is between David L., Emma Ray, and Lou Jean. Some letters from David O. and various other members of the family, however, can also be found here.

The second section (boxes 3-10) dates from 1897 to 1961 and consists of David O. McKay's diaries. For the most part, the diaries contain daily accounts of McKay about his ecclesiastical duties. The diaries in box 3 concentrate on McKay's first mission experience in Great Britain. They describe his journey to the mission field as well as various missionary experiences. Many of these experiences are duplicated in the letters (found in box 1) he wrote to his then friend and confidant, Emma Ray. The diaries in box 4 provide McKay's thoughts on the LDS Church and life experiences in general. He describes the weather conditions and provides notes, statistics, and minutes on LDS stake conferences he attended and presided over. Beginning with box 5 and continuing through box 10, the diary entries become scattered and shortened as McKay briefly describes his daily activities regarding his family and church callings.

The third section of the collection (boxes 11-18) consists of notebooks belonging to David O., Emma Ray, and Mildred McKay (daughter), as well as some miscellaneous materials of David O.'s and David L.'s. This section dates from 1897 to 1983. Boxes 11-13 contain notebooks with information on what transpired in various meeting and conferences David O. attended. These notebooks also contain letter drafts from David O. to various members of LDS stakes. Miscellaneous notebooks of David O.'s can be found in boxes 14-16. These include notes for talks and from trips, quotes, poems, notations, lists, and addresses. Notebooks pertaining to Emma Ray are in box 17. She includes letter drafts and detailed accounts of daily activities and trips she took. There is one notebook in the same box belonging to Mildred McKay where she makes notations about her trip to Europe with David O. and Emma Ray. Box 18 contains miscellaneous materials which generally are unrelated to any other section. These materials include Weber Academy letters, notes, membership cards, certificates, tax and insurance information, and travel documents and memorabilia.

The fourth section (boxes 19-107) consists of two addenda to the collection. These materials date from 1850 to 1970 and include scriptures, diaries, scrapbooks, speeches, and funeral sermons. The scriptures consist of a Bible and a bound volume of the New Testament. Included with the New Testament are LDS "Ready References" and John Jacques's Catechism for Children. The scriptures are undated except for an inscription in the Bible to McKay by his mother dated 1897. The rest of the materials in this section reflect McKay's years as a missionary (1897-1899), an apostle (1932), as a member of the First Presidency (1936-1951), and as president for the LDS Church (1951-1970). The missionary diaries are photocopies of the originals, which are in box 3 of the collection, while the rest of the diaries are typescripts prepared by McKay's long-time secretary, Clare Middlemiss. The scrapbooks are the originals and contain news clippings, photographs, letters, and various ephemera on McKay. Funeral sermons and speeches prepared by McKay, as well as various LDS temple dedicatory service materials, are also included in this section. Of interest is a scrapbook concerning the making of the motion picture, The Ten Commandments. Photographs of Mr. and Mrs. McKay with Cecil B. DeMille and Charleton Heston are included.

The original letters from boxes 1-2 were transferred to the Manuscripts Division Reserve Collection and photocopies have been placed in their stead.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized in four series: I. Correspondence; II. Diaries; III. Notebooks; IV. Addendum.

Acquisition Information

Boxes 1-18 were donated in 1993.

Box 19 was donated in 2000.

Boxes 20-107 were donated in December 2000.

Separated Materials

Photographs and audio-visual materials have been transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0807 and A0219).

Processing Note

Processed by Stan Larson in 1999.

Addendum processed by Lisa DeMille in 2001.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Box 1 contains letters of David O. McKay to his family and others. Those letters contained in folder 1 of this box were written just prior to and during David Oman McKay's mission to Scotland. Due to the nature of the letters in box 1, most of them were removed and added to the Manuscripts Reserve Collection. These materials may only be viewed with permission from the Manuscripts Division Head or other authorized persons. Photocopies replaced the originals in the parent collection. The letters in folder 2 are mainly directed to Emma Ray Riggs McKay, just prior to and shortly after her marriage to David O. This folder also includes a few items of correspondence with Emma Ray's father and sister and Ogden school officials. Most of the letters, however, are from David O. The letters in folder 3 are also to Emma Ray from David O. and appear to have been written mostly while he was away on LDS church assignments. Folders 4-6 of box 1 contain photocopies of the original documents. Folders 8-11 contain correspondence focusing on McKay's LDS Church and business duties. They include letters from stake presidents and other church officials, business associates, and friends. Boxes 2-2A contain letters to and from David Lawrence McKay. Letters David L. McKay received during his service in the LDS Swiss-German Mission can be found in folders 1-7 and 10-11 of box 2, as well as folders 1-5 of box 2A. Letters written to him while he was in Liverpool, England, editing the Millennial Star are located in folders 8-9 of box 2. These two folders also contain letters to David L. and Lou Jean while they attended school in France. All correspondence has remained in the original order it was received. Any correspondence entry containing "Daddy" and/or "Mother," or derivatives therefrom, refers to David O. and/or his wife, Emma Ray, respectively.

Container(s) Description Dates
David O. McKay Correspondence
Box Folder
1 1
Correspondence
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 28 July 1897
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, circa August 1897 (Written as an invitation to David O.'s missionary farewell party)
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 13 August 1897
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 9 September 1897
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 5 October 1897
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 2 November 1897
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 18 December 1897
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 25 March 1898
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 4 March 1899
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 25 April 1899
1897-1899
1 2
Correspondence
  • David O. to Emma Ray Riggs, 15 June 1900
  • D. H. Adams to David O., 16 June 1900 (Includes attached letter of reference)
  • David O., Letter, 24 June 1900
  • David O., Letter, 27 June 1900
  • William Allison to David O., 31 August 1900
  • David O. to O. H. Riggs, 9 December 1900 (Request for Emma Ray's hand in marriage)
  • O. H. Riggs to Emma Ray, 13 December 1900
  • Mae [Sister of Emma Ray] to Emma Ray, 14 December 1900
  • O. H. Riggs to Emma Ray, 17 December 1900
  • David O., Letter, circa December 1900
  • David O., Letter, circa December 1900
  • David O., Letter, 18 December 1900
  • David O., Letter, 22 December 1900
  • David O., Letter, 26 December 1900
  • David O., Letter, 9 April 1901
  • David O., Letter, 23 April 1901
1900-1901
1 3
Correspondence
  • David O., Poem, "A Baby in White," circa 1898
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 14 June 1906
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 15 June 1906
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 23 June 1906
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 8 June 1907
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 11 June 1907
  • Papa to Lawrence and Llewelyn, 12 June 1907 (Also includes note to Emma Ray on front)
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 23 July 1907
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 27 July 1907
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 13 March 1909
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 20 March 1909
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 16 May 1909
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 19 May 1909
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 20 May 1909
  • Lawrence McKay to Mama, 22 May 1909
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 4 September 1909
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 12 August 1910
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 13 August 1910
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 16 August 1910
  • Lawrence McKay to Mama, 20 August 1910
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 24 October 1910
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 26 October 1910
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 26 October 1910
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 8 December 1910
  • David O. to Emma Ray, circa October-November 1910
  • Lawrence McKay to Mama and Papa, 10 November 1911
  • Llewelyn McKay to Mama, 10 November 1911
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 9 March 1913
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 30 April 1914
  • Lawrence McKay to Papa, 2 May 1914
  • Lawrence McKay to Papa and Mama, Undated
  • Lawrence McKay to Papa and Mama, 28 August
  • Llewelyn McKay to Papa and Mama, 1 December 1918
circa 1898-1918
1 4
Correspondence
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 7 December 1920
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 24 December 1920
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 27 December 1920
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 2 January 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 24 April 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 4 May 1921
1920-1921
1 5
Correspondence
  • David O. to Lou Jean, 5 May 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 2 June 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 4 July 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 8 August 1921
1921
1 6
Correspondence
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 13 September 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 15 September 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 24 October 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 8 November 1921
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 9 November 1921
1921
1 7
Correspondence
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 3 September 1925
  • David O. to Evan Evans, 3 September 1925
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 6 December 1926
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 22 November 1927
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 23 June 1928
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 22 May 1929
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 3 June 1929
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 4 June 1929
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 7 June 1929
  • Ned to Daddy [David O.], 7 June 1929
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 21 February 1930
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 2 May 1930
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 20 November 1930
  • David O. to Emma Ray, 16 November 1932
  • David O. to His Children, 25 October 1934
1925-1934
1 8
Correspondence
  • Mosiah Hall to David O., 9 April 1906
  • Heber J. Grant to David O., 14 June 1906
  • Annis to David O., 13 January 1908
  • John Pingree to "Whom it may concern," 14 February 1908
  • J. R. Washburn to First National Bank, Ohio, 21 February 1908
  • James Duckworth to David O., 5 January 1909
  • John C. Halliday to David O., 13 February 1909
  • Dow Browning to Rachel, 2 August 1910
  • Dow Browning to T. E. Browning, 1 September 1910
  • Marion Bastian to David O., 8 January 1911
  • Heber J. Grant to David O., 11 September 1911
  • Heber J. Grant Edward H. Snow, 14 September 1911
  • Heber J. Grant to David O., 1911
  • Edgar A. Rogers to "Whom It May Concern," 17 October 1911
1906-1911
1 9
Correspondence
  • Ben E. Rich to David O., 10 June 1912
  • Henry H. Rolapp to David O., 2 August 1912
  • David O. to John Mets, 12 August 1912
  • David O. to Anthony W. Ivins, 12 August 1912
  • Heber J. Grant to David O., 10 December 1912
  • F. S. Bramwell to David O., 24 December 1912
  • Jean Benzie to David O., 31 January 1913
  • Aaron to David O., 2 February 1913
  • D. A. Nelson to David O., 14 July 1913
  • James Hockleford to David O., 3 April 1914
  • David O. to Sylvester D. Bradford, 29 April 1914
  • David O. to David C. Eccles, 7 September 1914 (The last page of this letter is missing)
1912-1914
1 10
Correspondence
  • David Eccles to David O., 10 September 1914
  • H. P. Hansen Letter to David O., 3 May 1915
  • B. F. Lofgren to David O., 14 December 1915
  • Henry H. Blood to David O., 25 August 1917
  • Unidentified to David O., 3 February (The last page of this letter is missing)
  • Mrs. Edward L. Howard to David O., 13 May 1918
  • Jonathan [?] to David O., 19 October 1918 (Note at bottom of letter says "Orson F. Whitney")
  • David O. to Byron G. Miller, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to J.G. Arnold, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to President John L. Herrick, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to President Heber J. Grant, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to Julian W. Nelson, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to President James Duckworth, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to Sgt. Morgan T. McKay, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to Elder James Carrigan, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to President S. Norman Lee, 24 October 1918
  • David O. to President Heber J. Grant, 24 October 1918
1914-1918
1 11
Correspondence
  • Annie Farr to David O., 26 November 1918
  • Mrs. E. W. Mills to David O., 10 February 1919
  • Reed Smoot to David O., 18 February 1919
  • James Duckworth to David O., 13 May 1919
  • Lillie [?] to David O., 15 May 1919
  • Dan Morris to David O., 15 May 1919
  • Seth Johnson to David O., 19 May 1919
  • Earl L. Baum to David O., 24 May 1919
  • James Duckworth to David O., 1 July 1919
  • Noble S. Elderkin to David O., 11 August 1919
  • Henry H. Hoff to David O., 12 August 1919
  • James E. Talmage to David O., 7 January 1920
  • Frank W. Becraft to David O., 5 December 1920
  • Joseph Fielding Smith to David O., 17 December 1920
1918-1920
1 12
Correspondence
  • David O. to Elders at Liverpool, circa 1924
  • L. & C. Steel to David O., 1 July 1924
  • Adam S. Bennion to David O., 3 November 1924
  • David O. to Mrs. Hohepa Wineera, 13 November 1924
  • Elders of Berliner Conference to David O., 13 December 1924
  • New England States Conference Announcement, 6 September 1925
  • David O. to G. Chauncey Spillsbury, 12 September 1925
  • David O. to A.H. Reiser, 12 September 1925
  • David O. to Elders Stephen L. Richards, George D. Pyper, and Members of the Deseret Sunday School Union General Board, 12 September 1925
  • Peter Rich Johnston to David O., 6 July 1926
  • William H. King to David O., 16 April 1934
  • William H. King to David O., 21 April 1934
  • Unidentified Missionary to David O., 23 September 1934
1924-1934
David L. McKay Correspondence
Box Folder
2 1
Correspondence
  • Father to David L. McKay, 22 October 1920
  • Father to David L. McKay, 29 October 1920
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 6 December 1920
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 13 December 1920
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 14 December 1920
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 20 December 1920
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 30 December 1920
  • Mother and Children to David L. McKay, 31 December 1920
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 1 January 1921
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 10 January 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 16 January 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 20 January 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 28 January 1920 (The context indicates that this letter was really written in 1921)
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 29 January 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 5 February 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 11 February 1921 (Also includes letter from Emma Rae)
1920-1921
2 2
Correspondence
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 13 February 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 20 February 1921
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 20 February 1921
  • Emma Ray to David L. McKay, 28 February 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 11 March 1921
  • Lawrence [?] to Mother, 15 March 1921 (This letter is unfinished)
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 26 March 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 3 April 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 7 April 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 10 April 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 24 April 1921
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 25 April 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 25 April 1921
  • Auntie Kitts to David L. McKay, 27 April [1921]
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 3 May 1921
  • Mother to David L. McKay, Undated
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 14 May 1921
1921
2 3
Correspondence
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 19 May 1921 (Includes letter from Emma Rae)
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 25 May 1921
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 6 June 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 15 June 1921
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 18 June 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 30 June 1921 (Includes letter from Emma Rae)
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 9 July 1921
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 17 July 1921
1921
2 4
Corrrespondence
  • Roland Morris to David L. McKay, 29 July 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 30 July 1921
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 14 August 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 21 August 1921
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 1 September 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 13 September 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 18 September 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 7 October 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 15 October 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 28 October 1921
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 30 October 1921
  • Uncle Tommy to David L. McKay, 12 November 1921
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 21 November 1921
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 7 December 1921
  • Auntie Annie to David L. McKay, 8 December 1921
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 10 December 1921
1921
2 5
Correspondence
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 1 January 1922
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 15 January 1922
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 4 February 1922
  • Emma Rae to Robert McKay, 10 February 1922
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 19 February 1922
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 3 March 1922
  • Aunt Maralda to David L. McKay, 6 March [1922]
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 29 March 1922
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 7 April 1922
1922
2 6
Correspondence
  • Emma Rae to David L. McKay, 9 April 1922
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 19 April 1922
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 29 May 1922
  • Emma Rae to David L. McKay, 29 May 1922
  • Emma Rae to David L. McKay, 22 June 1922
  • Fawn McKay Brodie to David L. McKay, 21 June 1922
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 8 July 1922
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 8 July [1922] (Last page is missing)
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 15 July 1922
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 21 July 1922
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 23 July 1922
  • Emma Ray to David L. McKay, 5 August 1922 (Last page is missing)
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 25 August 1922
  • Mama to David L. McKay, 12 September 1922
  • Emma Rae to David L. McKay, 13 September, circa 1922 (Also includes a note from Lou Jean)
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 15 September 1922
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 22 December 1922
1922
2 7
Correspondence
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 29 December 1922
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 6 January 1923
  • Emma Rae to David L. McKay, 9 January 1923
  • Uncle Tommy [Thomas E. McKay] to David L. McKay, 15 January 1923
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 21 January 1923
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 29 January 1923
  • Emma Rae to Mother and Daddy, 17 February 1923
  • Ned to Mother and Daddy, 17 February 1923
  • Lou Jean to Mother, 22 February 1923
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 26 February 1923
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 10 March 1923
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 13 March 1923
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 13 March 1923
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 16 March 1923
1922-1923
2 8
Correspondence
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 2 May 1923
  • David L. McKay, Notes Concerning His Experiences in Scotland, 25-27 May 1923
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 20 June 1923
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 6 September 1923
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 29 September 1923
  • Daddy to Lawrence [David L. McKay] and Lou Jean, 4 October 1923
  • Daddy, Mother, and Kiddies to David L. McKay, 6 October 1923
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 18 October 1923 (Includes a letter to Lou Jean)
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 26 October 1923
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 3 November 1923
  • Daddy to David L. McKay, 6 November 1923
  • Father to David L. McKay, 14 November 1923
  • Daddy to Lawrence and Lou Jean, 3 December 1923
  • Daddy to Lawrence and Lou Jean, 14 December 1923
  • Mother and Father to David L. McKay, December 1923
1923
2 9
Correspondence
  • Father to David L. McKay, 5 January 1924
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 12 January 1924
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 15 January 1924
  • Llewelyn McKay to David L. McKay, 15 January 1924
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 16 January 1924
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 21 January 1924
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 25 January 1924
  • Mother and Daddy to David L. McKay, 25 January 1924
  • Lou Jean to David L. McKay, 7 February 1924
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 25 February 1924
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 6 March 1924
  • Mother to David L. McKay, 13 March 1924
  • Daddy to Lou Jean and David L. [McKay], 10 April 1924
  • Daddy to Lou Jean, 30 April 1924
  • Llewelyn McKay to Lou Jean, 1 June 1924
  • Daddy to David L. and Lou Jean, 3 June 1924
1924
2 10
Correspondence
  • George Albert Smith to David L. McKay, 10 March 1921
  • Louis Chappuis to David L. McKay, 5 April 1921
  • J. Jacobs to David L. McKay, 28 May 1922
  • S. Audi and Freres, to David L. McKay, 11 October 1922
  • Madeleine to David L. McKay, 13 January 1923
  • Yvonne Duvoisin to David L. McKay, 14 January 1923
  • O. K. Winters to David L. McKay, 18 January 1923
  • Owen to David L. McKay, 18 January 1923
  • G. Osmond Hyde to David L. McKay, 22 January 1923
  • Herman to David L. McKay, 29 January 1923
  • George L. Jaquier to David L. McKay, 9 February 1923
  • [David L. McKay ?] to Alvin S. Nelson, 17 February 1923
  • CBD [?] to David L. McKay, 28 February 1923
  • C. W. Nibley to David L. McKay, 15 March 1923
  • Unidentified to David L. McKay, 23 March 1923 (Last page is missing)
  • Karl M. Richards to David L. McKay, 31 March 1923
1921-1923
2 11
Correspondence
  • Alvin S. Nelson to David L. McKay, 3 April 1923
  • Rulon T. Hinckley to David L. McKay, 6 April 1923
  • Harvey Woodbury and Otto Fife to David L. McKay, 15 April 1923
  • Howard to David L. McKay, 22 April 1923
  • Clair E. Brown and Ralph R. Merrill to David L. McKay, 28 April 1923
  • Yvonne Duvoisin to David L. McKay, 3 May 1923
  • Wilford O. Ridges to David L. McKay, 9 May 1923
  • W. Roscoe [Hess?] to David L. McKay, 9 May 1923
  • Waldo H. [Holmes?] to David L. McKay, 9 May 1923
  • Karl M. Richards to David L. McKay, 11 May 1923
  • Rulon T. Hinckley to David L. McKay, 13 May 1923
  • Louise [Montier?] to David L. McKay, 22 March 1923
  • Wilford L. Bramwell to David L. McKay, 23 May 1923
  • Rulon T. Hinckley to David L. McKay, 9 June 1923
  • Rulon T. Hinckley to David L. McKay, 29 June 1923
  • Ezra Taft Benson to David L. McKay, [July 1923]
  • Owen, of Delta, Utah, Letter to David L. McKay, 22 July 1923
  • Hyrum E. Lund, N. A. Gay, Edward T. Saunders, and E. A. Smitford, to David L. McKay, 25 August 1923
1923
2A 1
Correspondence
  • Jennis Ridges to David L. McKay, 1 September 1923
  • Rulon T. Hinckley to David L. McKay, 17 September 1923
  • Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States Receipt, 21 September 1923
  • L. Chappuis [?] to David L. McKay, 28 September 1923
  • Russell H. Blood and William E. Allen to David L. McKay, 29 September 1923
  • Harvey (H.C.W.) to David L. McKay, 3 October 1923
  • William Eugene Allen to David L. McKay and Lou Jean, 8 October 1923
  • James L. Barker to David L. McKay, 10 October 1923
  • Russell H. Blood to David L. McKay, 21 October 1923
  • Aaron W. Tracy to David L. McKay, 22 October 1923
  • Equitable Life Assurance Co. of the United States, Premium Notice, 23 October 1923
  • Jeanne [?] to David L. McKay, 24 October 1923
  • Yvonne Devoisin to David L. McKay, 25 October 1923
  • David [?] to David L. McKay, 26 October 1923
  • Postcard of Lille, France, from Unidentified Sender, October 1923
  • Jennis Ridges to David L. McKay, 26 October 1923
1923
2A 2
Correspondence
  • Gene [William Eugene Allen] to David L. McKay, 1 November 1923
  • DWG [David W. Goddard] to David L. McKay, 12 November 1923
  • Rulon T. Hinckley to David L. McKay, 14 November 1923
  • Alen A. Finlayson to David L. McKay, 16 November 1923
  • H. Mueller and Wife to David L. McKay, 20 November 1923
  • Russell to David L. McKay, 22 November 1923
  • Alvin S. Nelson to David L. McKay, 26 November 1923
  • Mr. and Mrs "Ernest" (Ernest L. Wilkinson) to David L. McKay, 30 November 1923
  • O. K. Winters to David L. McKay, 2 December 1923
  • Gene [William Eugene Allen] to David L. McKay, 4 December 1923
  • Auntie Belle to David L. McKay, 8 December 1923
  • David W. Goddard to David L. McKay, 13 December [1923]
  • Harvey to David L. McKay, 15 December 1923
  • Oscar R. Hoppli [?] to David L. McKay, 15 December 1923
  • Russell to David L. McKay, 15 December 1923
  • David L. McKay to James L. Barker, 26 December 1923
  • A. Duvoisin and Jeanne Duvoisin to David L. McKay, circa December 1923
1923
2A 3
Correspondence
  • Rulon T. Hinckley to David L. McKay, 1 January 1924
  • Russell Henry Blood to David L. McKay, 10 January 1924
  • Rulon T. Hinckley, Letter to David L. McKay, 17 January 1924
  • Wilford A. Long to David L. McKay, 24 January 1924
  • Mesdames Redard to David L. McKay, 28 January 1924
  • Theodore Spalleck, Calling Card and Letter to David L. McKay, 4-5 February 1924
  • Russell Henry Blood to David L. McKay, 6 February 1924
  • Max Fischer to David L. McKay, 6 February 1924
  • O. Frieden [?] to David L. McKay, 9 February 1924
  • Madeleine to David L. McKay, 12 February 1924
  • Ted L. Ashton, Letter to David L. McKay, 14 February 1924
  • Harvey to David L. McKay, 16 February 1924
  • D. G. Shupe, to David L. McKay, 17 February 1924
  • C. Sunderland, Ltd., Receipts, 21 February 1924
  • Doc to David L. McKay, 25 February 1924
1924
2A 4
Correspondence
  • William E. Allen to David L. McKay, 6 March 1924
  • Russell H. Blood to David L. McKay, 10 March 1924
  • James L. Barker to David L. McKay, 12 March 1924
  • William E. Allen to David L. McKay, 13 March 1924
  • David W. Goddard to David L. McKay, 14 March 1924
  • Madeleine to David L. McKay, 15 March 1924
  • Unsigned Paper Discussing the French, Undated
  • David L. McKay to Clifford B. Doxey, 21 March 1924
  • Russell Henry Blood to David L. McKay, 23 March 1924
  • David W. Goddard to David L. McKay, 25 March 1924
  • Richard Middleton to David L. McKay, 31 March 1924
1924
2A 5
Correspondence
  • Marcelli [?] Redard to David L. McKay, 2 April 1924
  • David L. McKay to Richard Middleton, 3 April 1924
  • David W. Goddard to David L. McKay, 3 April 1924
  • David L. McKay to James L. Barker, 3 April 1924
  • Henry J. to David L. McKay, circa April 1924
  • "Doc" to David L. McKay, 7 April 1924
  • Roscoe to David L. McKay, 14 April 1924
  • Jennis [Ridges] to David L. McKay, 18 April 1924
  • Roscoe to David L. McKay, 6 May 1924
  • David L. McKay to James L. Barker, 7 May 1924
  • David W. Goddard to David L. McKay, 31 May 1924
  • D. L. Shupe to David L. McKay, 2 June 1924
  • "And. Conkiors" to David L. McKay, 3 June 1924
  • Francis to David L. McKay, 4 June 1924
  • Gene to David L. McKay, 9 June 1924
  • Rulon T. Hinckley to David L. McKay, 13 June 1924
  • Notes, Undated
1924
2A 6
Correspondence
  • Daddy and Mama Ray, Poem to "Our dear son, David L., on his 28th birthday," 27 September 1929
  • Mother and All to David L. and Mildred Calderwood McKay, 20 December 1929
  • Daddy to David L. and Mildred, 17 October 1933
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 18 December 1933
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 11 February 1934
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 12 February 1934
  • Daddy to David L. and Mildred, 27 April 1934
  • Mother and All to David L. and Mildred, 4 May 1934
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, June 1934
1929-1934
2A 7
Correspondence
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 18 September 1934
  • Mother to David L., 30 September 1934
  • George Sutherland to David L. McKay, 3 October 1934
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 6 October 1934
  • Mother Ray to Mildred Calderwood McKay, 25 November 1934
  • Emma Rae to David L. and Mildred, 26 December 1934
  • Auntie Emma [Emma Rae] to Midene, 26 December 1934
1934
2A 8
Correspondence
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 5 January 1935
  • Grandma McKay to Midene, 5 January 1935
  • [David O.?] to David L. and Mildred, 17 January 1935 (Last page is missing)
  • Ned to David L. and Mildred, 20 January 1935
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 25 March 1935
  • Daddy to David L. and Mildred, 16 April 1935
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 21 May 1935
  • Daddy to David L. and Mildred, 2 November 1935
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 4 December 1935
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 22 December 1935
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 21 February 1936
  • Mother to David L. and Mildred, 14 May 1936
1935-1936

David O. McKay DiariesReturn to Top

Please contact the Manuscripts curator for access to boxes 3-19. The original and typescript diaries in box 6 contain information of David O.'s world tour.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
3 1
Diary
July-December 1897
3 2
Diary
December 1897-January 1898
Volume
3 1
Diary
January 1898-July 1899
Folder
3 3
Diary
This is a photocopy of part of Book 1.
January 1898-July 1898
4 1
Diary
April 1906-June 1907
4 2
Diary
June 1907-March 1908
4 3
Diary
March 1908-March 1909
5 1
Diary
May-December 1911
5 2
Diary
February-December 1912
5 3
Diary
January-December 1914
5 4
Diary
August-December 1915
5 5
Diary
January-December 1917
5 6
Diary
January-August 1919
6 1
Diary
December 1920
6 2
Diary
December 1920-January 1921
6 3
Diary
February 1921
6 4
Diary
February-April 1921
6 5
Diary
April-May 1921
6 6
Diary
May 1921
6 7
Diary
May-June 1921
6 8
Diary
June-July 1921
6 9
Diary
July 1921
6 10
Diary
October-December 1921
6 11
Diary
This is a typescript.
December 1920
6 12-20
Diary
This is a typescript.
December 1920-August 1921
7 1-7
Diary
This is a typescript. Also included are some handwritten notes.
March-September 1921
7 8
Gertrude Wineera to David O.
This folder also includes a document entitled "Ah Ching."
7 9
Diary
January-November 1922
7 10
Diary
January 1923-April 1926
7 11
Diary
January-November 1932
7 12
Diary
January-December 1934
7 13
Diary
January-December 1935
7 14
Diary
January-October 1936
8 1
Diary
January-April 1936
8 2
Diary
January-December 1937
8 3
Diary
January-March 1938
8 4
Diary
January-November 1938
8 5
Diary
March-August 1940
8 6
Diary
January-December 1942
8 7
Diary
January-February 1944
8 8
Diary
January 1945
8 9-10
Diaries
January 1946
9 1
Diary
January-December 1948
9 2
Diary
January-December 1951
9 3
Diary
January-December 1952
9 4
Diary
May-July 1952
9 5
Diary
January-March 1953
9 6
Diary
March-December 1953
9 7
Diary
August 1953-May 1956
9 8
Diary
January-March 1954
9 9
Diary
February-July 1954
9 10
Diary
January-September 1954
10 1
Diary
October-December 1954
10 2-3
Diary
January-February 1955
10 4
Diary
August-September 1955
10 5-6
Diary
April-May 1958
10 7
Diary
September 1958
10 8
Diary
January-November 1961
10 9
Diary
February-March 1961

NotebooksReturn to Top

The notebooks in box 11 contain information on what transpired at various meetings and conferences McKay attended as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Some letter drafts are also included in these notebooks. Box 13, folders 7-23 contain typescripts of the original diaries. Box 14 also includes notes for talks and from trips, quotes, poems, notations, lists, and addresses. The notebooks in box 17, folders 5-9 include accounts of Emma and Mildred's 1952 European tour, trips to South Africa and Chicago, Illinois, and a trip to Europe for the dedication of the Swiss LDS Temple.

Container(s) Description Dates
David O. McKay Conference Notebooks
Box Folder
11 1
Notebook
January 1909-December 1910
11 2
Notebook
April-June 1910
11 3
Notebook
April 1911
11 4
Notebook
January-December 1911
11 5
Notebook
January 1912-December 1913
11 6
Notebook
January 1914-December 1915
11 7
Notebook
February 1918-December 1919
12 1
Notebook
February 1920-May 1921
12 2
Notebook
This folder also includes notes by Yoshijiro Watanabe.
January and May 1921
12 3
Notebook
January-September 1922 and January-September 1925
12 4
Notebook
December 1922-September 1924
12 5
Notebook
July-November 1924
12 6
Notebook
January 1926-December 1927
12 7
Notebook
January 1928-December 1929
13 1
Notebook
May-August 1929
13 2-3
Notebook
January 1930-December 1931
13 4
Notebook
Included with the notebook are two letters, one from Harold B. Lee dated 8 September 1932, and the other from Jesse M. Drury dated 24 October 1932.
January-December 1932
13 5
Notebook
July 1943-September 1949
13 6
Notebook
1951-1952
13 7
Notebook
March-November 1924
13 8
Notebook
1932
13 9-10
Notebook
1933
13 11-12
Notebook
1934
13 13
Notebook
1935
13 14
Notebook
1936
13 15
Notebook
1937
13 16
Notebook
1938
13 17
Notebook
1939
13 18
Notebook
1940-1941
13 19
Notebook
1942
13 20-21
Notebook
1943
13 22
Notebook
1944
13 23
Notebook
1945-1948
David O. McKay Miscellaneous Notebooks
Box Folder
14 1
Notebook
1897-1899
14 2
Notebook
circa 1898
14 3
Notebook
circa 1902-1908
14 4
Notebook
1913
14 5
Notebook
1919-1920
14 6
Notebook
1921-1922
14 7
Notebook
1922
14 8
Notebook
1923
14 9
Notebook
1923-1924
14 10
Notebook
1924
14 11
Notebook
1925-1937
15 1
Notebook
1927
15 2
Notebook
1929-1937
15 3
Notebook
circa 1929
15 4
Notebook
circa 1930
15 5
Notebook
1933
15 6
Notebook
1935
15 7-8
Notebook
1937
15 9
Notebook
This folder also includes news clippings on Floyd Bennett, a famous navy aviator, and an envelope with Hawaiian writing on it.
1938
15 10
Notebook
1939
16 1
Notebook
circa 1940s
16 2
Notebook
This is a typescript.
1944-1957
16 3
Notebook
1945
16 4
Notebook
1945-1949
16 5
Notebook
1947
16 6
Notebook
1947-1948
16 7
Notebook
1948
16 8
Notebook
1949
16 9
Notebook
circa 1950
16 10
Notebook
1960-1963
16 11-12
Notebooks
Emma Ray McKay and Mildred McKay Notebooks
Box Folder
17 1
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
1922
17 2
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
Includes notes taken on trips to Phoenix, Arizona, Mexico, and Tacoma, Washington.
1946-1951
17 3
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
Includes notes for a trip to Gridley, California.
April-November 1951
17 4
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
Account of a trip to New York to accept an award for Mother of the Year.
April-May 1954
17 5
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
May-July 1952
17 6
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
July-August 1952
17 7
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
1953-1954
17 8
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
September 1954
17 9
Emma Ray McKay Notebook
August-September 1955
17 10
Mildred McKay Notebook
Includes notes from the 1952 European trip, which she went on with President and Sister McKay.
1952-1969
David O. McKay and David L. McKay, Miscellaneous Papers
Box Folder
18 1
David O., Notes and Statements
18 2
David O., Weber Academy, Letters
1908
18 3
David O., Business and Membership Cards
1930-1960
18 4
David O., Certificates
These certificates include a bishop's storehouse donation and the purchase of a cemetery lot.
1909
18 5
David O., Taxes and Properties
1908-1910
18 6
David O., Insurance
1909-1910
18 7
David O., Receipts
1906-1910
18 8-9
David L. McKay, Miscellaneous Papers
Contains talks, notes, receipts, airline tickets, a passport, as well as money (bills) from various countries, including Russia, France, Finland, and Denmark.
1928-1983
18 10
David O., Patriarchal Blessing Photocopy
1887
Container(s) Description Dates
Scriptures
Box Folder
19 1
Bible
This Bible contains an inscription to McKay by his mother dated 1897.
19 2
New Testament, Ready References, Catechism
Diaries
Box
20
Missionary Diaries
1897-1898
21
Missionary Diaries
1899
22
Diaries
The original items from boxes 22-71 are located in reserve. Permission to access originals is only given by the Manuscripts curator. Photocopies of the originals are available for researchers.
1932-1940
23
Diaries
1941-1944
24
Diaries
1945-1946
25
Diaries
1947-March 1948
26
Diaries
April 1948-June 1949
27
Diaries
July 1949-September 1950
28
Diaries
October 1950-August 1951
29
Diaries
September 1951-May 1952
30
Diaries
June-December 1952
31
Diaries
January-September 1953
32
Diaries
October 1953-March 1954
33
Diaries
April-October 1954
34
Diaries
November 1954-March 1955
35
Diaries
April-September 1955
36
Diaries
October 1955-March 1956
37
Diaries
April-September 1956
38
Diaries
October 1956-March 1957
39
Diaries
April-September 1957
40
Diaries
October 1957-March 1958
41
Diaries
April-July 1958
42
Diaries
August-December 1958
43
Diaries
January-May 1959
44
Diaries
June-December 1959
45
Diaries
January-July 1960
46
Diaries
August 1960-January 1961
47
Diaries
February-June 1961
48
Diaries
June-October 1961
49
Diaries
November 1961-April 1962
50
Diaries
May-August 1962
51
Diaries
September-November 1962
52
Diaries
December 1962-March 1963
53
Diaries
April-July 1963
54
Diaries
August-September 1963
55
Diaries
October 1963-January 1964
56
Diaries
February-June 1964
57
Diaries
July-October 1964
58
Diaries
November 1964-January 1965
59
Diaries
February-May 1965
60
Diaries
June-September 1965
61
Diaries
October-December 1965
62
Diaries
January-May 1966
63
Diaries
June-November 1966
64
Diaries
December 1966-March 1967
65
Diaries
April-August 1967
66
Diaries
September-December 1967
67
Diaries
January-June 1968
68
Diaries
July-November 1968
69
Diaries
December 1968-April 1969
70
Diaries
May-October 1969
71
Diaries
November-December 1969
72
Diary Indexes
1951-1955
73
Diary Indexes
1956-1957
74
Diary Indexes
1957-1960
75
Diary Indexes
1961-1963
76
Diary Indexes
1964-1967
77
Diary Indexes
1968-1970
Scrapbooks
Box
78
Scrapbooks
1850-1969
79
Scrapbooks
1915-1969
80
Scrapbooks
1923-1957
81
Scrapbooks
1951-1959
82
Scrapbooks
1955-1958
83
Scrapbooks
1958-1959
84
Scrapbooks
1959-1960
85
Scrapbooks
1960-1963
86
Scrapbooks
1961-1964
87
Scrapbooks
1962-1963
88
Scrapbooks
1963
89
Scrapbooks
1963-1964
90
Scrapbooks
1964-1965
91
Scrapbooks
1965
92
Scrapbooks
1965-1968
93
Scrapbooks
1966-1969
94
Scrapbooks
1966-1969
95
Scrapbooks
1967-1970
96
Scrapbooks
1969-1970
Speeches
Box
97
Speeches
1906-1940
98
Speeches
1932-1940s
99
Speeches
1941-1952
100
Speeches
1948-1954
101
Speeches
1952-1957
102
Speeches
1955-1961
103
Speeches
1962-1968
104
Funeral Sermons, A-N
105
Funeral Sermons, P-W
This box also contains an index to both boxes of funeral sermons.
Temples
Box Folder
106 1
London Temple Dedicatory Services
1958
106 2
Los Angeles Temple Ground-breaking and Dedicatory Services
1951 and 1956
106 3
New Zealand Temple Dedicatory Services
1958
106 4
Oakland Temple Dedicatory Services
1964
106 5
Swiss Temple Ground-breaking and Dedicatory Services
1953 and 1955
General Materials
Box
107
The Ten Commandments and Miscellaneous
This scrapbook contains information and photographs concerning Cecil B. DeMille's making of this motion picture. Also included are religious illustrations and other miscellaneous materials.
1928-1979

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Latter Day Saint churches--Conferences
  • Latter Day Saint churches--History--Sources
  • Latter Day Saint churches--Missions
  • Latter Day Saint churches--Presidents

Personal Names

  • McKay, David Lawrence
  • McKay, Emma Ray, 1877-1970

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Diaries
  • Notebooks
  • Scrapbooks
  • Sermons
  • Speeches (documents)