Skip to main content
Blog

September 8, 2017

Bust of David O. McKay

Ortho R. Fairbanks (b.1925),

Bust of David O. McKay, no date, plaster, 27 1/2 x 14 x 13 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art,

gift

of Mrs. Mae Dyer, 1979.

On this day in 1873, David O. McKay was born near Ogden, Utah. David O. McKay, ninth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was ordained an apostle in 1906 at age 32. Prior to his call to serve as an apostle, he served a mission in Great Britain and worked as an educator at what would later become Weber State University. Following the death of George Albert Smith, David O. McKay became the President of the Church at age 77. During this time, he emphasized 'every member a missionary,' encouraging members of the Church to be examples of Christ-like living in word and deed, as well as the importance of education.