The Girl in the Blue Dress

Adapted from Llewelyn R. McKay, Home Memories of President David O. McKay (1956), 133–35.

Illustrated by Mike Eagle

As prophet, President David O. McKay traveled with his son Llewelyn to Europe. He dedicated temple sites and tried to greet as many Church members as possible.

Llewelyn: Father, you don’t have time to greet all these children. Aren’t you tired?

President McKay: Son, never hurt a child. I can take time to meet these youngsters—I wouldn’t disappoint them for anything.

Girl: President McKay, could you sign my autograph book?

President McKay: Do you think I can write plainly enough for you to read it?

Just then, someone tapped President McKay on the shoulder and whispered to him for a moment. When he turned back to sign the little girl’s book, she was gone.

President McKay: Llewelyn! Please find the little girl in the blue dress. I’m afraid she thinks I didn’t want to sign her book.

Others helped Llewelyn search, but the little girl was nowhere to be found. On their way to London, Llewelyn and President McKay traveled with a group of missionaries. President McKay told them about the little girl in the blue dress.

President McKay: I wish we could have found her.

Missionary: President McKay, we think we know who she is. We’ll talk to her branch president, and he’ll phone you this evening.

President McKay: Wonderful!

President McKay talked to the little girl’s branch president, apologized for what had happened, and arranged for the autograph book to be sent to his office in Salt Lake City. When it arrived, he eagerly signed it and mailed it back.