Dale Van Atta

Dale Van Atta is a New York Times best-selling author and journalist who has been nominated five times for the Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife, Lynne. His book The Washington D.C. Temple: Divine by Design is available at dalevanatta.com.

Feature Stories

Close calls and angels in halls: Forgotten miracles from the first DC Temple open house

By Dale Van Atta

April 28, 2023 07:24 AM MDT

The first open house for the DC Temple in 1974 was an enormous challenge filled with unexpected problems, but also unexpected blessings.

9 Min Read

Recommended by Us

The DC Temple on 9/11: Why the temple presidency worried it was a sitting duck

By Dale Van Atta

September 10, 2022 08:00 AM MDT

On a Tuesday morning before the world outside turned upside down, it was quiet and peaceful in the Washington D.C. Temple.

8 Min Read

3 Times Following the Spirit Saved Bill Marriott's Life

By Dale Van Atta

January 14, 2020 10:00 PM MST

No one on New Hampshire’s beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee could have suspected that the still air on a peaceful Saturday morning in 1985 might almost prove lethal for one of its most recognizable summer residents, Bill Marriott.

15 Min Read

Famous Latter-day Saints

How Bill Marriott balanced being a bishop, father, and CEO of a multi-million dollar company

By Dale Van Atta

October 12, 2019 01:00 PM MDT

Bill Marriott puts faith at the forefront of his life, and that's no secret. In the rooms in his hotels guests can find a copy of the Book of Mormon and Bible. At a party celebrating the opening of his $24-million Los Angeles hotel Bill recalled a memorable moment with John Wayne: “He was a very large man and a man of few words, but he let me know exactly what he wanted—a drink—when he said, ‘I understand liquor flows like glue at Mormon parties.’” There was little doubt in any one's mind that to Bill Marriott, faith and family came first.

11 Min Read

Famous Latter-day Saints

How This Ill-Fated Marriott Hotel and Its Brave Staff Played a Key Role in 9/11

By Dale Van Atta

September 11, 2019 09:00 AM MDT

In 1991, Marriott opened the 37-story, 504-room Financial Center Marriott two blocks from the World Trade Center. It was the only competition for the nearby Vista International hotel, which was nestled between the massive 110-story Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

11 Min Read

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What a prophet told the Marriotts about serving alcohol in their hotels

By Dale Van Atta

September 04, 2019 09:48 AM MDT

A report from hotel consultants concluded that the hotel would be successful in the early years primarily because of expected “extensive local use of the restaurant and bar facilities.”

3 Min Read