The intertwining of people's lives, often regarded as mere coincidence, is actually part of God's "divine design," said Elder Neal A. Maxwell Tuesday.
In a devotional address to Brigham Young University students, Elder Maxwell said he loves the "happy ironies" that occur as the paths of people and friends cross and mesh over the years."Why should we be surprised?" asked Elder Maxwell. "It's just one of the joys of the gospel."
And God is "serious about joy," said the apostle. "He wants us to be happy. He is delighted when his children keep his commandments because he knows they will bring joy. Conversely, he weeps over needless suffering."
Elder Maxwell told the audience of students and teachers, filling almost two-thirds of the Marriott Center, that living the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would "deprive" them of suffering from AIDS, lung cancer, alcoholism, ignorance, human despair, cynicism and the "exhausting calisthenics that go with using the Play-doh of permissiveness."
Instead of deprivations, those things are "great benefactions" that come from commandments given by a God who truly loves, he said. Commandments kept "emancipate the soul," he said.
"Yes, the God of worlds without number cares about us," said Elder Maxwell, "and what we are having for lunch." Elder Maxwell explained that joy is a long-lasting state, while pleasure has a short shelf life and "ensures the cancellation of satisfaction" by its very consumption.
"One of the great things God gives us is the lens of perspective," he said.
He spelled out some of the things that give men a sense of true joy, including playing a part in someone's reactivation or acceptance of gospel truths.
"When we contribute to our family or friends' storehouse of self-esteem or blow away the chaff with a kindness," joy is found, he said.