2 Corinthians 5

It is important that we seek to return our hearts to the condition it was in before we came to this life. In our pre-mortal life, we lived in Heavenly Father's presence and gained a high level of righteousness through our choices there. By coming to this life and possessing a mortal body, we were automatically separated from God and no longer in his personal presence. But with this separation came the opportunity to prove to God and ourselves that even though we are separated from Him, we would still remain faithful and grow in spiritual strength so that we could eventually not just live in his presence as we once did, but we would be able to live as he lives with the same power and glory that he possesses. We are promised that we will inherit all that the Father has.

So Paul tells us that in this mortal condition, our spirits long for an immortal body clothed in the glory our spirits were designed for, a united spirit and body that is worthy to be in God's presence again, but also worthy to receive His glory. Christ's redemption will bring about our resurrection and the type of person we have become in this life, will determine the type of resurrected body we will receive after this life. Until that day, Paul says that we must be reconciled to God, meaning that we are at one with Him. We have power to return to his presence in this life through the companionship of the Holy Ghost who makes it possible to become alive to things of righteousness, things of the Spirit.

The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith in the Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants that it is important that we gain light and truth from the Spirit through righteous living, that our hearts be rooted in spiritual things, because our "bodies must be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory. For after [our body] hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of the Father..." That's why Paul says it's important that we not live as the world lives. If we live as the world lives, the Holy Ghost can't sanctify us. "And they who are not sanctified... must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom (or telestial)... For he who is not able to abide the law of the celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory... If we strive to live a righteous life then our bodies are prepared for a celestial glory. "They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same (glory in a resurrected) body... your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened." If we strive to live a celestial life, while in this life, we will receive a portion of that celestial glory through the Holy Ghost with a promise that we will receive a fulness of celestial glory after this life. "Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall receive of the same, even a fulness."

We should not let the world fool us. Paul says there are some who "glory in appearance, and not in heart." Proverbs says, "Let another man praise thee, not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." And I like this verse in 1 Samuel: "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh at the heart."