Quinn McKay, renowned author, lecturer, and nephew of the late President David O. McKay, shared a wealth of knowledge about lessons he has learned from the ten latter-day prophets he has known personally. McKay's speech, delivered at the BYU–Hawaii weekly devotional at the Cannon Activities Center, emphasized the importance of encouraging others with love.
He said, "Knowing these ten [prophets] makes me realize that Joseph Smith was not as far away as some of us think."
When McKay's father passed away, President Heber J. Grant wrote the family a letter and sent books to each of the eight children and his mother with inscriptions in each. These accumulated letters helped to steer McKay on lifetime of learning.
Through President Grant, McKay learned the power of prayer and the joy service brings to others. Through President George Albert Smith, McKay learned to always remain on the Lord's side so that Satan would have no power over him. Through his "Uncle Dade"—President David O. McKay, Quinn McKay learned the power of education.
These letters—inscriptions preserved in print—served as words of encouragement through McKay's life, giving him the needed boost to put himself into school. Every step in his education was marked by a mentor that encouraged him to go farther and do a little better.
Going further, McKay admonished, "Brothers and sisters may I plead with you. Be mindful to love one another—and this is one way you can love a brother or a sister—to help them clear their eyes and have that vision of what their potential is. I am so grateful that others saw so much more in this Quinn McKay than he ever saw in himself. That is what I call serving our brothers and sisters. I think if we would do that, I repeat again [if we do that], our lives shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done. May countless marks of good or ill ere sets the evening sun. So this is the thought I always think, prayer I always pray—Lord, may my life bless other lives along the way" (Alice E. Clark, "My Influence").
--Photo by Monique Saenz