David Oman McKay was an American religious leader and educator who served as the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1951 until his death in 1970. Ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906, McKay was a general authority for nearly 64 years, longer than anyone else in LDS Church history, except Eldred G. Smith (though Smith was not active as a general authority for many years).
McKay was concerned with missionary work, and coined the phrase “every member a missionary” in order to encourage church members to become more engaged in that work, and not just leave it to the full-time missionaries.
McKay’s statement that “no other success can compensate for failure in the home” is taught to LDS Church members as an important principle.
McKay’s teachings as an apostle were the 2005 course of study in the LDS Church’s Sunday Relief Society and Melchizedek priesthood classes. (via Wikipedia)
A few of his great quotes are mentioned below:
On Life:
The power of choice is a God-given gift, and the purpose of life is happiness. Things which pertain to the physical nature are so easily obtained and the pleasure so immediate that many spend most of their time seeking them and neglecting the permanent joys of the spirit.
There is no cause to fear death it is but an incident in life. It is as natural as birth. Why should we fear it Some fear it because they think it is the end of life, and life often is the dearest thing we have. Eternal life is man’s greatest blessing. If only men would ‘do his will’ instead of looking hopelessly at the dark and gloomy tomb, they would turn their eyes heavenward and know that ‘Christ is risen’ With all my soul I know that death is conquered by Jesus Christ.
The kind of life you live, your disposition, your very nature, will be determined by your thoughts, of which your acts are but the outward expression. Thought is the seed of action.
In choosing a companion, it is necessary to study the disposition, the inheritance, and training of the one with whom you are contemplating making life’s journey.
No other success in life can compensate for failure in the home.
The true purpose of life is the perfection of humanity through individual effort, under the guidance of God’s inspiration.
On Death:
There is no cause to fear death it is but an incident in life. It is as natural as birth. Why should we fear it Some fear it because they think it is the end of life, and life often is the dearest thing we have. Eternal life is man’s greatest blessing. If only men would ‘do his will’ instead of looking hopelessly at the dark and gloomy tomb, they would turn their eyes heavenward and know that ‘Christ is risen’ With all my soul I know that death is conquered by Jesus Christ.
I never think of death: I am too busy thinking of life.
On Success:
The secret of success is doing well the job close at hand.
On God:
Obedience to the commandments of God is the key to spirituality.
Our most precious possession is the youth of the land, and to instruct them to walk uprightly and to become worthy citizens in the kingdom of God is our greatest obligation.
True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work.
On Freedom:
As precious as life itself is our heritage of individual freedom, for man’s free agency is a God-given gift.
Liberty is freedom of choice, a divine gift, an essential virtue in a peaceful society.