New Page Template that allows for Widgets

[tlc72]

I'm trying to create a new Page that acts like a Home Page. Where I can use widgets for the layout. Here is what I have done thus far:
1. Created a new file through my webhost in the same folder that has my Child Theme (Magazine)
2. Named that file: pages_motm.php
3. Went to my dashboard -> editor-> pages_motm.php
4. Pasted the below code (same code as Home.php, but all references to "home" have been changed to "motm") and saved.

Questions:
1. Is this the correct way to code the new page template?
2. When I created a Page and chose the MOTM template..... its no different than any other page I create. So, either the below code is incorrect or I have no idea how to access the new template to lay out the widgets. Yes.. I'm a total novice!

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks!
Tammy

<?php
/*
 Template Name: MOTM Page
 */
<?php
remove_action( 'genesis_loop', 'genesis_do_loop' );
add_action( 'genesis_loop', 'magazine_motm_loop_helper' );
/**
* Add widget support for homepage. If no widgets active, display the default loop.
*
*/
function magazine_home_loop_helper() {

if ( is_active_sidebar( 'motm-top' ) || is_active_sidebar( 'motm-left' ) || is_active_sidebar( 'motm-right' ) || is_active_sidebar( 'motm-bottom' ) ) {

if ( is_active_sidebar( 'motm-top' ) ) {
echo '<div class="motm-top">';
dynamic_sidebar( 'motm-top' );
echo '</div><!-- end .motm-top -->';
}

if ( is_active_sidebar( 'motm-left' ) || is_active_sidebar( 'motm-right' ) ) {

echo '<div class="motm-middle">';

if ( is_active_sidebar( 'motm-left' ) ) {
echo '<div class="motm-left">';
dynamic_sidebar( 'motm-left' );
echo '</div><!-- end .motm-left -->';
}

if ( is_active_sidebar( 'motm-right' ) ) {
echo '<div class="motm-right">';
dynamic_sidebar( 'motm-right' );
echo '</div><!-- end .motm-right -->';
}

echo '</div><!-- end .motm-middle -->';

}

if ( is_active_sidebar( 'motm-bottom' ) ) {
echo '<div class="motm-bottom">';
dynamic_sidebar( 'motm-bottom' );
echo '</div><!-- end .motm-bottom -->';
}

}

else {
genesis_standard_loop();
}

}

genesis();

[Brad Dalton]

Try this http://wpsites.net/web-design/create-custom-page-template-like-home-for-the-agency-theme/

And you may also be interested in this http://wpsites.net/wordpress-themes/new-magazine-pro-theme-by-studiopress-sneak-peak/

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Tutorials for StudioPress Themes.

[Author]

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