The purpose of the gospel is to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.

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.