REVIEW
Title: A Vision Splendid: The Discourses of David O. McKay
Author: Anne-Marie Wright Lampropoulos
Publisher: Greg Kofford Books
Genre: Religious Non-Fiction
Year Published: 2022
Number of Pages: 215
Binding: Hardcover, eBook
ISBN-13: 978-1-58958-777-9
Price: $22.95
Reviewed by Richard Ji for the Association for Mormon Letters
A Vision Splendid: The Discourses of David O. McKay by Anne-Marie Wright Lampropoulos fills a gap in the current biographical canon of David O. McKay. Trained as an educator, McKay’s knowledge and love for literature and poetry were readily apparent as he quoted, often by memory, poems, and passages from literature to teach principles. Although he was an educated man with a seemingly insatiable desire to learn from literature, he was not of the pretentious sort. He had a ‘special knack for relating to everyone, no matter their level of education’ (p. 7). This book seeks to bring into focus the importance of education, this Prophet’s love of literature, and his sharing of it in his sermons. The title of the book appears to be taken from a John Keats passage quoted by McKay:
So long had his inner eye been fixed upon beauty; so long had he loved that “vision splendid,” so long had he lived with it, that not only did his soul take on the loveliness of what he contemplated, but the very lines of the poet’s face were chiseled into beauty by those sculptors called “thoughts” and “ideals.” (p. 10)
Lampropoulos believes this passage could have easily described McKay (p. 10).
A Vision Splendid begins with a Preface and Introduction with interesting information about the author’s personal connection with the source material. McKay’s personal secretary, Clare Middlemiss, was devoted to him and painstakingly documented each of his public addresses. Many of them would not have been available for publication otherwise. This labor of love filled “hundreds of thick, legal-sized, black leather binders [that] lined the shelves of the walk-in closet next to” (p.ix) the author’s bedroom. Clare Middlemiss was Lampropoulos’ great-aunt, and her parents became custodians of these treasured documents. Lampropoulos combed through this archive, analyzed the material, and organized it into four main categories, which serve as the main chapters of the book. These are Dedications, Civic Addresses, Church Discourses, and Funeral Sermons. Each chapter opens with commentary and analysis by the author, followed by a curated sample of 3-4 actual addresses as recorded by Middlemiss. Thus, a reader can get an interpretative assessment and then be able to read a sampling of addresses that exemplify points made. Closing the book are the Epilogue, Bibliography, and Index. There are footnotes throughout.
A Vision Splendid by Anne-Marie Wright Lampropoulos achieves its objective and brings to life the nature and style with which David O. McKay taught. David O. McKay was a highly charismatic Prophet, and through his use of literature, he often tailored it to the audience he was addressing and was able to build esteem from those within and without the Church. For example, when in Scotland, he may favor the words of a Scottish poet (McKay’s ancestry is of Scottish roots). By using words from local authors, he was able to teach universal and gospel principles in a highly accessible way. Shortly after his death, Time Magazine wrote:
Tall and strong-voiced, McKay was an affable new image of Mormonism to a world that had previously seen the Mormon leaders as dour, dark-suited figures. He was perhaps the first Mormon president to treat non-Mormons as generously as members of his own faith…In his own generous, enthusiastic way, McKay had expanded his Church’s horizons and involvement far beyond the abilities of any successor to contract them. If he had not completely destroyed Mormon exclusivism, he has certainly tempered it with his own remarkable vision of a much wider, friendlier world.” (p. 1)
Biographer Gregory A. Prince writes on the rear panel of the book:
There had never been a Latter-day Saint church president in the mold of David O. McKay – and perhaps there will not be another. Clearly distinguished from his predecessors in being a clean-shaven, immaculately dressed monogamist, he created an image that still fits only himself. McKay looked upon the world’s greatest literature as scripture and quoted it as least as often as he did Mormonism’s canon. In the carefully selected and annotated sermons and speeches in this volume, Anne-Marie Wright Lampropoulos introduces us to his lofty, accessible, poetic vision that remains relevant, even vital, in a world, he could never have imagined.”
From Lampropoulos’ sampling of speeches, it is clear that McKay preferred to teach from literature and the New Testament, more so than other scripture and sources. He used these sources to teach themes related to character, service, and love (p. 7). Reading these addresses provides a time warp of sorts where one can get a sense of the broader culture, issues, and values of the day. Some may find such views either wholly compatible or wholly disagreeable to modern sensibilities.
For example, McKay often “warned against Communism as antagonistic to the American way of life, comparing Karl Marx and, on different occasions, Adolf Hitler to Satan” (p. 66). He cites: “We are passing through troublous times. Young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraints. They talk as if they alone know everything. As for girls, they are forward, immodest, and unwomanly in speech, behavior, and dress.” McKay attributes this to a 1274 AD sermon by Peter the Hermit! (p. 76). There are also nuances of gender roles of the day, referring to ideals for sons as being “noble” and daughters as “beautiful” (features and soul) (p. 29); stating that “the husband is happiest when that sweet wife, his sweetheart, is happy. She is happiest when he succeeds;” and eulogizing a woman by saying “She sought success in the noblest sphere of womanhood – the home” (p. 170).
So, while it can be argued that David O. McKay was progressive for his day, one may categorize his words as more conservative in our day. So, an enlightening aspect of A Vision Splendid is how it may serve as a marker in the history of societal shifts.
A Vision Splendid: The Discourses of David O. McKay, written by Anne-Marie Wright Lampropoulous is a wonderful contribution to LDS history and literature. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who love literature and the Gospel. It is a case study of one who truly embodied the scripture: “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith” (D&C 109:7). It gives valuable insight into a person who truly sought to expand the tent of the church to include all people by using their own literary treasures to expound upon principles of the Gospel.