Natural disasters have dominated many news reports in recent weeks, led by devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan as well as quakes in New Zealand and Spain and tornadoes in the U.S. Now, as spring rains fall and mountain snows melt, flooding has become a big concern in the United States. The Mississippi River is swelling beyond its banks, threatening farms and homes, and many of Utah's valleys are bracing for a raging runoff as temperatures rise.

From the time Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, man has struggled against natural forces that produce thorns and thistles and cause sorrow (Genesis 3:17-18). These problems do not discriminate. As the Savior said in His injunction to love all people, "… for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45).

The Prophet Lehi taught that being cast out of the Garden of Eden allowed mankind to gain valuable experience and to progress through handling opposition and challenges.

We do not know why disasters come when they do, nor why they come to the people they do. What we do know, however, is that disasters call for service. And whenever that call is made, true disciples of Jesus Christ respond willingly, following the example of the Master. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints treats the need to help others seriously, believing, as King Benjamin said, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).

Through LDS Charities, the Church uses generous donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to distribute emergency aid wherever it is needed worldwide. This can be in the form of food, medical supplies, clothing, educational supplies or many other needed items.

As it says on the Church's philanthropic website (ldsphilanthropies.org), "In an address to the National Press Club, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: 'We … are trying to reach out to those who find themselves in terrible trouble because of war, earthquake, flood, drought and other disasters. Human suffering anywhere and among any people is a matter of urgent concern for us' " (Ensign, June 2000, p. 73).

The Church is not paralyzed by the overwhelming needs of the suffering. It pitches in with whatever means available, helping all those it is capable of helping. Through such service, hearts have been softened and lives have been touched with the love of the Savior.

In 2004, President Hinckley said, "Where devastating floods have come, where earthquakes have created disaster, where hunger has stalked the land, wherever want has been created by whatever cause, representatives of the Church have been there.

"We shall go on in this work. There will always be a need. Hunger and want and catastrophes will ever be with us. And there will always be those whose hearts have been touched by the light of the gospel who will be willing to serve and work and lift the needy of the earth" ("I was an Hungred, and Ye Gave Me Meat," April 2004 general conference).

Members of the Church can help these efforts through generous donations.

They also should remember that the big attention-getting disasters of the world must not cause them to ignore the quieter, but no less troubling, needs of people they encounter each day.

President Thomas S. Monson said, "I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish — and in effect save their lives" (October 2009 general conference; "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" Ensign, November 2009).

Through the service of the Lord's disciples comes comfort and hope.