Stretching Other Rusty Muscles

My bachelor's degree is in Print Journalism.  I remember way back in third grade becoming a "Published Author" and thinking it was one of the neatest things ever.  I've always enjoyed writing and I freely admit that there are plenty of people who are waaaaay better at it than I am.  But I enjoy it and most of the time, I feel like I have a good "voice" and write in a logical, sensical manner.

Once upon a time, I did some freelance writing, and I was even the assistant editor at a magazine here in Atlanta.  But since having children, I've let that talent lie dormant.  Not buried, exactly.  But to say I haven't done much with it would be fairly accurate.

Fortunately, I have plenty of people who seem to want me to succeed in writing.  Yesterday at church the woman in charge of Public Affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southeast came up to me and asked me for my help.  I was happy to write this for her, but more importantly, I forgot how much fun I have writing!

I already linked to it on Facebook, but I wanted it here as well.  Here's the link: http://www.atlmormontemple.org/local-man-in-charge-of-rededication?utm_source=AtlMormonTemple&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Rededication
and here's the text:

The announcement by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of the rededication of the Atlanta Georgia Temple has created quite the buzz among the over 76,000 members of the Church living in and around Atlanta. The announcement has also created a beehive of activity among those in charge of orchestrating the logistics, the publicity, the cultural celebration and all the other details a temple rededication encompasses.

Elder Giddens, a member of the Seventy, is the local man in charge of the rededication of the Atlanta LDS Temple

The Atlanta Georgia Temple was first announced by President Spencer W. Kimball on 2 April 1980. The groundbreaking and site dedication was 7 March 1981 with the official dedication on 1 June 1983.  To bring the building up to code, the entire inside of the temple was renovated and will be open to the public for viewing April 9 through April 23.

The local man assigned to oversee the temple rededication is no stranger to being busy.  Elder M. Keith Giddens, of Acworth, was called in April of 2010 as a member of one of the leadership councils of the Church termed a “Seventy.” He has been assigned by the First Presidency of the LDS Church to spearhead all the rededication activities.

In what usually takes nine months to coordinate, Elder Giddens and those working with him have been given about a third of the time.  “When I received the appointment I was humbled and overwhelmed. Even now as I look at the checklist of the many things that need to be done I try to keep in mind that a prophet of God will come to Atlanta to rededicate a house of the Lord,” says Elder Giddens. “That’s how I keep it all in perspective and recognize the blessing and privilege that is mine to be a part of such a remarkable event.”

Elder Giddens, who is working with the Temple Department and the Public Affairs Department of the LDS Church, has assembled a group of local people to help with the coordination efforts. “I started by selecting a team that is competent and has great capacity,” he says. “Everyone is excited and anxious as they feel the significance of what they have been called to do.”

The changes inside the temple are cause for excitement as well. “The temple is absolutely stunning,” Elder Giddens says. “The craftsmanship and furnishings are fitting for the house of the Lord. The attention to detail is remarkable.”  Elder Giddens says that excitement and anxiousness are apparent as he talks and meets with members in the Atlanta area.  “Everywhere I go the members are excited to once again have a temple in our midst.”

Although it’s a fast-paced schedule to keep, Elder Giddens knows everything will fall into place.  “When I was called as a mission president at age 41 President Thomas S. Monson told me that ‘when you are on the Lord’s errand you are entitled to Lord’s help’ and ‘he whom the Lord calls the Lord qualifies’.”

Elder Giddens is familiar with being called on the Lord’s errand.  He’s served twice as a bishop, twice as a stake president and presided over the New Jersey Cherry Hill Mission from 1998-2001.  He says that the most important thing he learned was the need to reach out to those in need.  “We are all in different phases of our lives with struggles and challenges and can use a kind word and a helping hand. My job was to try in some measure to lead them to the Savior s