President David O. McKay: 1873-1970: Tribute to President David O. McKay

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I do not hesitate and without reservation repeat from this remote end of the big wide world the very often heard expression from the lips of about three million people who have accepted the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in these the last days: “He was surely a true Prophet, Seer and Revelator,” who presided over Christ’s Church for many years.

I learned from my parents that David O. McKay was the first Apostle and Special Witness of Christ who set foot on the soil of Samoa since the Restoration of the Church in 1830, through Joseph Smith, Jr., the Prophet. On that visit of 1921, President McKay and his companion, Brother H. Can non, had to travel on horses to Sauniatu school, which is twenty miles east of the Mission Home in Pesega, so he could bless members of the Church. The saints and the students (young boys and girls) in Sauniatu were fully filled with the spirit of rejoicing and of appreciation that an Apostle showed his personal interest and true love for them. I am told that after feasting and entertainments President McKay and his party were to return to Headquarters. They mounted their horses and started on their long trip. The saints and students formed a crowd following President McKay and his party and the band, led by my father, Alisa F. Toelupe, led the crowd, playing “Good Bye, My Feleni (Friend),” with the crowd singing. President McKay’s heart was deeply touched. He stopped his horse, and as he looked behind he observed the crowd following. He turned his horse around and returned to meet his beloved people. When the crowd of Sauniatu Saints, children, and the band met President McKay and his party, Pres. McKay felt the need to leave his blessings with these saints. He did not worry about the long ride before him but asked the saints one and all to join him in prayer—and he invoked a blessing which is written in the hearts of the saints who were present. This blessing was later written down by Brother Su’a Kipeni, who acted as interpreter. A few days later the saints, though poor, decided to build a monument to Apostle McKay’s name in memory of his visit, of his love, and of his great interest in them. This was done, and the prayer concealed inside a bottle and buried within the monument. 

Thirty-four years later, in 1955, David O. McKay was the first President, Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Latter-day Church to set foot in Samoa. One of the greatest blessings that has come to me, though it came in great surprise, was the privilege of being appointed by the Mission Presidency at that time to be President McKay’s Interpreter. 

I had associated with this great man and had felt his great love toward his fellow man on various occasions. As his interpreter, while he and Sister McKay visited Samoa for four or five days, my wife Tava’etoto and I had the rare privilege of sitting very close to President and Sister McKay in meetings and helping them along in many activities they engaged in in Samoa. 

Two weeks before his arrival President McKay’s doctors were so concerned about his health that they contacted President Howard B. Stone of the Samoan Mission, requesting the Mission President to keep the public away from their prophet, who was eighty-one years of age at the time. Instructions advising the saints were prepared, translated into Samoan, and then sent out to the districts and branches of the Mission.

He set foot in Samoa at Pago Pago harbor. About one half hour before his ship arrived, a heavy rain started pouring from the heavens. The saints in Tutuila, American Samoa, were somewhat disappointed. They thought their welcome activities would not be displayed at the arrival of their prophet and his good wife. Non-members’ sarcastic expressions about the saints were heard. These mocking remarks got to the point that some of the Mormons felt ashamed. But, as soon as the ship President and Sister McKay were on entered the mouth of Pago Pago harbor, the rain simultaneously gradually stopped. At the time President and Sister McKay set foot on the wharf, the proud saints of American Samoa, with President and Sister Stone of the Samoan Mission, hit the air with “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” “Surely, he is a real man of God” was the expression by many prominent non-members who were at the scene. 

His love was so great toward the saints that he went to the people and shook their hands, put his arm around them, young and old. This incident of his trip in Pago Pago is still remembered to this moment. “Surely, he is truly a man of God.” 

He shook my hand and looked at my eyes and I could see my soul deep in the back of his bright eyes. I knew it did not take a minute for him to know everything about me. He was such a great leader that kindness com forted my fear at the moment. I felt the warmth of his clean hand touch ing my weak hand. The tone of his voice when he said to me “Talofa” was full of love. My fear disappeared and was replaced with joy and rejoicing. He uplifted my heart and I felt a new life and a new strength, physic ally and spiritually. 

He promised the saints that he would shake every one’s hand if they attended Sunday Evening Session of the conference in the Pesega School auditorium, and regardless of his doctor’s advice because of his health, President McKay so loved his Father in Heaven’s children in this far end of the earth, that he forgot his health and shook hands with over 2000 people that Sunday evening. He did not miss anyone who wanted to touch the Lord’s Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of His only true Church on earth. I was privileged to stand beside this great and righteous man. It was a marvelous and a wondrous experience how he reached out to meet people so that he would not miss one person. Blessings accompanied him every minute of his tour. People who were in bed for many years were made well just by President McKay visiting them. 

Every time I had the chance of standing beside him to translate his messages (I want the world to know this) I did feel a very strong warm re laxing and comforting spirit surrounding Pres. McKay. His promises made in Samoa have gradually come true: Our Church has the best system of edu cation in Samoa now; because of these schools and the temple he prophesied would be built in the South Pacific, faithful saints who remain in Samoa are receiving God’s blessings in Samoa without spending much money to go outside of Samoa to receive those blessings; we have stakes organized in Samoa whereby the complete program of the Priesthood is now operated in Samoa in its fulness. The saints here are enjoying the fulfillment of these promises. 

Pres. McKay was truly a man of God. I know of no other man who has done more for God’s children in Samoa than President McKay. I can never forget what a marvelous thing he has done me personally. He loved the Lord so much that he extended to me, a common man, such an opportunity and a sacred privilege to stand near him, the prophet of God, to act as his Samoan interpreter. 

Nearly every Samoan family remembers Pres. McKay in their family prayers morning and night, as well as in all other meetings where prayer is offered. Pres. McKay was a true Prophet, Seer, and Revelator; President of the Church, a great teacher and leader and a most successful missionary. 

Lafi Toelupe 
Leone, American Samoa