Much credit for the existence of this book goes to McKay's long-time personal secretary, Claire Middlemiss. As is mentioned at the outset, and in an appendix at the close of the book, she kept meticulous records of McKay's public and private dealings. Access to these records gives us, the readers, an unprecedented look behind the scenes of one of Mormonism's most popular Prophets.

Here's a look at the book, chapter by chapter:

Chapter 1, "Prophet and Man," is a general overview of Pres. McKay's life and work. It sets the scene for the rest of the book -- depicting McKay as a compassionate, always interesting character, one who related well with people and showed interest in individual lives.

Chapter 2, "Revelation and Prophecy," tackles the oft-asked question of what has happened to the prophetic gift in the LDS hierarchy. While McKay never recorded any of his prophecies, he clearly believed that he was at times directed by God in his decision making. Several episodes are cited to support the prophetic role of Pres. McKay.

Chapter 3, "Free Agency and Tolerance," is a blockbuster. In this fascinating read, we learn a little about the battles McKay had to fight to balance the desire for orthodoxy with his commitment to tolerance of other ideas. The incident of Bruce R. McConkie's publication of "Mormon Doctrine" is riveting. Mention is also made of Joseph Fielding Smith's "Man, His Origin and Destiny," Juanita Brooks' work on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Sterling McMurrin's ongoing quest to retain his church membership, and, of course, the publication of "No Man Knows My History" by his niece, Fawn Brodie. He had a lot on his plate!

Chapter 4, "Blacks, Civil Rights, and the Priesthood," is a lengthy and richly detailed account of McKay's struggle with the issue of race, rights, and priesthood. In keeping with his times, McKay showed little affection for people of color, but confronted with the emerging civil rights movement, and the ongoing Priesthood ban, he had to restudy his feelings. Two men, Hugh B. Brown and Sterling McMurrin, would emerge as very influential in turning McKay around in his desire to see the ban lifted (in fact, in correspondence with McMurrin, to acknowledge that there is no doctrinal foundation for the ban!). This desire would be realized under the presidency of Spencer W. Kimball.

Chapter 5, titled "Ecumenical Outreach," chronicles McKay's efforts to establish relations with other religious communities. His communications with Jews and Protestants were generally satisfactory. But coming to terms with his feelings about Roman Catholicism took a bit longer. The early years of his presidency were marked by an uneven mix of respect for the local Catholic clergy and deep-rooted suspicions of the Catholic system. Ironically, it would take the publication of "Mormon Doctrine," with its explicit naming of the Roman church as the "harlot," etc., to move McKay to reconsider Mormonism's relationship with, and view of, the Catholic church.

Chapter 6, "Radio and Television Broadcasting" follows with a summary of the Church's experience with ownership of media outlets, beginning with KSL in Salt Lake City, through the tumultuous experiment with shortwave radio, through the eventual consolidation of media work in Bonneville Communications.

Chapter 7, "Correlation and Church Administration," is a frank, and sometimes brutal, recounting of the formation and growth of the Correlation committee. Begun many years before McKay's rise to the presidency, it found its root during his tenure, especially in the efforts of Harold B. Lee. This chapter chronicles the transfer of power and money from the auxiliary organizations to the central Church structure, a transfer that did not come easily. Particularly thorny were the changes made to the organizations led by women. Changes did come, of course, but not without much ill feeling and resentment among the general membership.

Chapter 8, "The Education System," opens with a remarkable and notable statement:

His [McKay's] philosophy was that true education is liberal, painted by the broad brush strokes of all academic disciplines, unfettered by thin pencil lines of dogma. (p. 159)

This goal would prove to be rather elusive as the aging President of the Church superintended the growth and expansion of Brigham Young University under the aegis of Ernest L. Wilkinson. Issues concerning church loyalty and academic freedom are discussed. Also discussed is the abortive attempt at establishing a church-owned community college system and the attempts by Wilkinson to relocate Ricks College. Altogether an amazing read.

Chapter 9, "The Building Program," discusses McKay's vision of expanding the construction of church edifices around the world. It studies the differing opinions of those put in charge of the work, and the financial challenges they faced.

"The Missionary Program" is considered in Chapter 10. It discusses the role of Henry Moyle in reshaping and energizing the Church's missionary efforts, particularly in Europe. The idea of "baptism quotas" emerges during this period (an idea I personally have some difficulty with). In order to meet these quotas, a series of "incentives" was provided. Much space is given to the "baseball baptisms" fiasco, an episode I'd read a bit about, but never before had so much detail.

Chapter 11 is titled "Temple Building," providing an overview of temples built during McKay's presidency. A section titled "A Temple to Sail on the Waters" was a surprise to me. McKay asked the chairman of the church building committee to study the idea of building a temple on a ship that could be sailed to places where members had no access to a temple. The idea died fairly soon after. McKay's interest in enriching temple marriage is also discussed.

Chapter 12, "Confrontation with Communism," looks at McKay's lifelong distaste for Communism, and his ultimate alliance with, and support for, both the views and the political aspirations of Ezra Taft Benson. This was a time of deep reflection and changing views for McKay. At first supportive of Sen. Eugene McCarthy and his hearings in Congress, he later distanced himself from them, acknowledging excesses in the process. But the real star of this chapter is future President Ezra Taft Benson. Benson's extreme right views, his involvement with the John Birch Society, and his later bid for the Presidency, presented strong challenges to the First Presidency as they tried to rein in one of their own. This chapter is something of a roller-coaster ride through both Church and American history.

Chapter 13, "Politics and the Church," looks at the fine line McKay had to walk in keeping the Church as neutral as possible when it comes to politics and candidates. He wasn't always successful, and continued to struggle with the ultra-right image imposed on the Church by the very public Ezra Taft Benson. Also discussed is "The Douglas Stringfellow Hoax," investigating the possibility that Stringfellow, a Congressman from Utah, had misrepresented his military service record on a television program, "This Is Your Life." The chapter ends with a discussion of McKay's meetings with several U.S. Presidents.

In Chapter 14, "An International Church," McKay is described as the first Mormon President to circumnavigate the globe. He had a real role in reversing the idea of Utah as a "gathering place," and instead strengthening the foreign field. Sterling McMurrin, in an afterword, credits McKay with extending the borders of the Church beyond the Utah valley.

Chapter 15, "The Final Years," chronicles the last years of his life and his declining health. And while he continued to attend General Conference, his failing health was obvious to all, causing great distress among his people. While handing over some of the everyday responsibilities of the Presidency to others, he remained "in charge" to the very end. It is a touching and heartfelt look at his final years.

Finally, Chapter 16 offers a sweet "Epilogue" to the story, not just summarizing McKay's life and influence, but celebrating it:

For a full century, since Brigham Young announced to the world that the rumored practice of plural marriage was more than rumor, church members had been asked to sacrifice themselves for the good of the institution. McKay reversed that, asserting that the church was made for the members, not the members for the church. He emphasized the paramount importance of free agency and individual expression, for he understood the improvement of the parts would inevitably improve the whole. "Let them conform" was replaced by "Let them grow." He willingly discarded institutional uniformity for the higher goal of individual excellence. He pitched a wide tent and then told all members of all stripes that he welcomed them to join him and build the church within it.

Perhaps, as Walter Reuther said of McKay, "I doubt that another generation will produce a man like that." But we should try. (p. 404)

Amen.

There had been some comment about the format of the book. Some complained that it wasn't a chronological account of McKay's life. In retrospect, I think the authors made the right decision in treating their subject thematically. A man may live many years, but what matters is not how many years he lived, but how he lived those years. Prophets, like others in the public eye, are judged thematically, not chronologically. The authors, in my opinion, chose a wise course in so arranging their excellent book.

This is a massive, impressive work, as befits such an impressive man. But it is also a cautionary work. While admiring the man and many who surrounded him, it reminds us of the perils of unbounded power and agenda-driven theocracy. It brings to light the very real human element that drives the Church, the sometimes-contentious relations between leaders, and, in the middle of all this, the ability of men and women to rise to the challenge and emerge stronger and wiser.

David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism is, in my opinion, must reading for anyone interested, not just in McKay and his tenure, but in the multifaceted face of a religious movement emerging as a world faith, a dynamic and energetic organization finding itself in a world of often-conflicting priorities. A great read, solid research -- this book is a winner.

-----------------------------------

Jeff Needle
August 24, 2005