Do your duty, that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest.

In 1934 McKay was called as second counselor in the First Presidency by Heber J. Prentice Hall. McKay.

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.