Dell Van Orden
Dell R. Van Orden was a journalist, most notably serving as editor of The Church News for 23 years. He was assistant editor for eight years.
Van Orden was born in 1935 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and sold newspapers on street corners to help the family make ends meet.
While in college, he worked for The Salt Lake Tribune as a reporter and photographer and ran the Provo Bureau. He worked for 38 years with the Deseret News, first as a reporter on the City Desk.
- During his time at Church News, Dell was given the sacred responsibility to record the growth of the Church. When Dell became editor of the Church News, the Church had 2 million members, 13 temples and 450 stakes — mostly in the western United States. When Dell retired in 1999, the Church had 11 million members in more than 160 nations and 2,500 stakes, with more members outside the United States than inside and with 115 temples that were dedicated, under construction or announced.[1]
In 1974, Dell originated and developed the idea for the Church Almanac. For many years, this one-of-a-kind almanac was published annually by the Deseret News. Dell's Almanac work will soon be able to be accessed online in perpetuity.[2]
He co-authored six books with his long-time mentor, colleague, and friend J Malan Heslop.
He also served for seven years in the US Army Reserve, receiving a direct commission to First Lieutenant. He served as Public Information Officer in the 91st Infantry Division.
Van Orden and his wife, Sharon, had six children. He died in 2024.
Church News, “What Dell Van Orden Taught English and Faith,” by Sarah Jane Weaver
