A massive earthquake rattled much of southwestern Peru in the summer of 2007, claiming hundreds of lives and leaving thousands homeless.

A visitor to the quake zone was staggered by the destruction. Entire blocks in some towns were reduced to ruins. Streets were blanketed with pulverized rubble and resembled a nightmarish, lunar landscape. Folks left destitute by the disaster were seen flagging down passing motorists, begging for help. Some raised rough-edged cardboard signs that read, "Ayudanos — Tenemos hambre. Tenemos sed." "Help us — we are hungry. We are thirsty."

As the visitor toured one devastated community he noticed a group of women gathered together off the side of a buckled street. The women were cutting up fresh chickens and vegetables to be added to a communal soup that was being cooked over an open fire. The soup would soon fill the hungry bellies of all those who passed by their makeshift kitchen.

It was obvious that the women were Latter-day Saints because of their familiar yellow "Helping Hands" vests. The visitor guessed the sisters were from a distant stake or district who had traveled to the quake zone to help out fellow Peruvians in their time of distress and need.

When he asked the women where they were from his query was met with weary smiles. "We are from here," they answered, "this is our town."

One Relief Society sister then pointed across the street to a small adobe dwelling with a collapsed roof. "That's my home," she said.

Another woman lifted her pant leg so the visitor could see a bandaged leg that had been injured by falling debris when the rumbling damaged her own home.

These were not simply good-hearted women who answered a call to serve victims of a horrific catastrophe. These women were the victims. Still, they found unity and joy amidst their own struggles to care for those around them. This faithful collection of sisters — desperately in need of service themselves — followed a divine urge to be the benefactors of service.

They were also following the perfect example of service offered during periods of personal trouble: Jesus Christ.

The Savior never missed an opportunity to help and assist another, even when He was facing unimaginable moments of pain, disappointment and scorn. The New Testament records one such episode when Christ was seized by men carrying out evil orders after being identified by Judas' betraying kiss. One of the Lord's followers raised his sword in defense of his Master and cut off the right ear of one of His assaulters. "And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him" (Luke 22:51).

Even as He was being victimized by those seeking His demise, Christ performed an act of service.

Those who have taken upon themselves Christ's name through baptism have covenanted to do likewise. It was the Book of Mormon prophet Alma who explained to those seeking baptism that their desire for such an essential ordinance was prompted, in great measure, by their desire to serve others. "And now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;

"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:8-9).

One of Alma's latter-day prophetic counterparts, President Spencer W. Kimball, wrote that in modern times defined by selfishness, small acts of service still define Christ's followers. Service can lift another's burdens and make our own burdens easier to bear.

"I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve," said President Kimball. "When we are engaged in the service of our fellow men, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves.

"Not only do we find ourselves in terms of acknowledging guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellow men in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve others — indeed, it is easier to find ourselves because there is so much more of us to find" (Ensign, December 1974, p. 4).

Our current Church leader, President Thomas S. Monson, spent his 82nd birthday on Aug. 21 by providing an essential service for both those living and dead in dedicating the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. In doing so, President Monson answered his own birthday challenge/wish issued a year earlier to look for opportunities to help another:

"Do something for someone else on that day to make his or her life better. Find someone who is having a hard time or is ill or lonely, and do something for them."

Most might never have to serve others amidst the literal rubble and ruin of their own homes such as those kind Peruvian sisters. Still, most could conjure a list of reasons why they can't "do something for someone else." Perhaps there are financial troubles in their lives. Maybe a parent is troubled by the poor choices of a son or daughter. Another may be waging daily battles with loneliness or illness.

Still, we can forever remember the example of the Savior who declared, "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27).