Each one of us is the architect of his own fate; and he is unfortunate indeed who will try to build himself without the inspiration of God, without realizing that he grows from within, not from without.

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.