David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism

Gregory A. Prince, William Robert Wright, Wm. Robert Wright

University of Utah Press, 2005 - Biography & Autobiography - 490 pages

Ordained as an apostle in 1906, David O. McKay served as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1951 until his death in 1970. Under his leadership, the church experienced unparalleled growth--nearly tripling in total membership--and becoming a significant presence throughout the world.

The first book to draw upon the David O. McKay Papers at the J. Willard Marriott Library at the University of Utah, in addition to some two hundred interviews conducted by the authors, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism focuses primarily on the years of McKay's presidency. During some of the most turbulent times in American and world history, McKay navigated the church through uncharted waters as it faced the challenges of worldwide growth in an age of communism, the civil rights movement, and ecumenism. Gregory Prince and Robert Wright have compiled a thorough history of the presidency of a much-loved prophet who left a lasting legacy within the LDS Church.

Winner of the Evans Handcart Award.
Winner of the Mormon History Association Turner-Bergera Best Biography Award.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - richjj - LibraryThing

I was looking forward to this book since came out to high praise and I'm particularly interested in 20th century LDS history. It's writing is easy to follow and well paced. It draws from a vast ...

User Review -

I have found this to be an exceptional work. It is an honest assessment. The interactions between President McKay and others is fascinating and enlightening!

Contents

• 1 Prophet and Man: 1
• 2 Revelation and Prophecy: 30
• 3 Free Agency and Tolerance: 40
• 4 Blacks Civil Rights and the Priesthood: 60
• 5 Ecumenical Outreach: 106
• 6 Radio and Television Broadcasting: 124
• 7 Correlation and Church Administration: 139
• 8 The Education System: 159
• 9 The Building Program: 199
• 10 The Missionary Program: 227
• 11 Temple Building: 256
• 12 Confrontation with Communism: 279
• 13 Politics and the Church: 323
• 14 An International Church: 358
• 15 Final Years: 380
• 16 Epilogue: 395
• Appendix: 405
• Notes: 413
• Bibliography: 457
• Index: 473

About the author

Gregory A. Prince is the author of Power from On High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood. He is president and CEO of Virion Systems, Inc. and he is a board member of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought and The Journal of Mormon History.

Wm. Robert Wright is a retired attorney who practiced law in Salt Lake City and Washington, D.C. His varied public service includes serving as the chairman of the University of Utah's Institutional Council and as chairman of the Utah State School Board.

Bibliographic information

• Title: David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism
• Authors: Gregory A. Prince, William Robert Wright, Wm. Robert Wright
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: University of Utah Press, 2005
• ISBN: 0874808227, 9780874808223
• Length: 490 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / General; Religion / Christian Life / General; Religion / Christianity / Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon); Religion / Devotional