In 1934, McKay became Second Counselor in the First Presidency under Heber J. Grant. He served in that capacity until Grant's death in May 1945, and when Grant was succeeded by George Albert Smith, McKay was called to continue as Second Counselor in the new Presidency.Richard O. Cowan. The Church In The Twentieth Century. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1985) pp. 235–237.
