The greatest work made or done by a person is the definition of a masterpiece, and "David O. McKay's life was a beautiful masterpiece," said the artist who sculpted a new memorial statue of President McKay at Utah Valley State College here.

Ortho Fairbanks made the comment in remarks at the unveiling of the statue of the ninth president of the Church on Sept. 27. The nearly 10-foot high, bronze-and-clay sculpture stands near the west entrance of the new David O. McKay Events Center dedicated April 22 by President Gordon B. Hinckley. (See April 27, 1996, Church News.)The statue was to have been unveiled at the dedication in April, but cold weather affecting the malleability of the clay and injuries suffered by the artist in a fall delayed the completion.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke at the unveiling ceremony, representing the First Presidency and the Twelve. Also speaking was Alan Ashton, a grandson of President McKay and former president of the college's board of trustees. Kerry D. Romesburg, college president, conducted the ceremony and spoke briefly.

The work depicts President McKay dressed in academic robes so as to emphasize his academic achievements, said the sculptor, who 40 years ago made a portrait bust of the prophet, the only one for which President McKay sat.

"In the many speeches that he gave, after his prepared remarks, he would often give some off-the-cuff comments depending on what came to mind at the time, and it is in this relaxed attitude that I have frozen the moment, wherein he is reaching for the right words to express himself," the sculptor said.

The statue is attached to a granite lectern bearing President McKay's name and his words, "Education, America's most precious asset, her greatest safeguard, her most important, most potentially profitable enterprise."

A facing wall summarizes his life, noting he "was a proud farmer, an innovative educator and revered religious leader," and that his life "was shaped by his dedication to learning." It recounts his experiences at Huntsville School as a pupil and later principal, at Weber Stake Academy and at the University of Utah, where he graduated as senior class president and valedictorian. It quotes his statements: "Good reading is to the intellect what good food is to the body; thoughts like food should be properly digested," and "no other success can compensate for failure in the home."

"He left a legacy which taught us to disdain idleness, tirelessly pursue knowledge and perpetually serve others," the statement on the wall concludes.

Elder Ballard shared a personal remembrance of President McKay. Elder Ballard said that as a young bishop, he had promised his deacons quorum they could meet President McKay as a reward for perfect attendance at their meetings. They complied.

But, he said, he found it was not very wise to make such a promise. "The secretaries told me if every bishop brought their deacons quorums, the president of the Church would do only one thing, shake hands with deacons all day."

After praying about the matter, and knowing President McKay's sense of humor, Bishop Ballard sent him a letter saying he was in serious trouble and adding, "I promise you if you'll bail me out I'll never commit you to anything else again as long as I live." The letter explained the circumstances.

Shortly after sending the letter, Bishop Ballard was contacted by President McKay's secretary, and the appointment was made. "It was on a Thursday, and we waited there

in the Church Administration BuildingT some time, because the president was in the temple," he said. "Then, that moment came when President McKay came through the side door into the north boardroom. He was in a white suit, with his white shirt and tie and that white, flowing hair. We thought we were in the presence of an angel. I will never forget, nor will those boys, incidentally, one of them is presiding as a mission president today, the impact of that opportunity to shake hands with President McKay."

The president, Elder Ballard remembered, warmly embraced each boy and patted Bishop Ballard on the back, assuring him he had not been too far out of line. Then, as the group was leaving, President McKay said, "Now, boys, I won't remember your names, but wherever you see me, you come up and tell me you're one of my 100 percenters."

"I think it's a wonderful thing," Elder Ballard mused, "that this building and this statue honors our dear friend and mentor, teacher, prophet, and trust that all the students and those who come and have an opportunity to look at this statue will have reflections of their own of President David O. McKay, a man dear to all of us."

Brother Ashton told of an occasion when a New York newspaper photographer covered President McKay's visit to the city. The man shot numerous pictures. Later, in the developing laboratory, his boss asked him why he had taken so many shots. The man replied that when he was a child, his mother had told him stories about Old Testament prophets and he had always wondered what a prophet looks like, Then he added, "Today, I saw one."

"I remember Clare Middlemiss, his secretary, saying `I've never heard you say an unkind word,' as she talked with President McKay" Brother Ashton recalled. " `How have you been able to do it?' He said, `I learned a long time ago that you're not responsible for what you don't say, and each time you hold your tongue it becomes that much easier.' "

Brother Fairbanks, a nephew of prominent LDS sculptor Avard Fairbanks, recalled the occasions in 1957 when he would go to President McKay's office and be with him from 6 to 8 a.m. to make a clay model from which he constructed the portrait bust.

"These sittings were very choice events for me," he said. "We had some very choice conversations. He could quote Burns and Byron and Shakespeare and others. . . . He had a virtual library committed to memory."

Pres. Romesburg said the sculpture "speaks volumes. It says more than we could possibly teach in hours and hours in the classroom. This is a symbol that we hope motivates our students to emulate the life of this incredible man, the values he stood for, his appreciation of education and his dedication to serving humanity."