In harmony with the law of the harvest—the eternal decree that man reaps according to that which he sows (Galatians 6:7-8)—men or women are largely a product of their thoughts. What we think about determines what we are and what we become.
“If we think evil thoughts,” Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “our tongues will utter unclean sayings. If we speak works of wickedness, we shall end up doing the works of wickedness. If our minds are centered on the carnally and evil of the world, then worldliness and unrighteousness will seem to its to be the natural way of life.
If we ponder things related to sex immorality in our minds, we will soon think everybody is immoral and unclean and it will break down the barrier between us and the world. And so with every other unwholesome, unclean, impure, and ungodly course. And so it is that the Lord says he hates and esteems as an abomination, ’an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations… .’ (Proverbs 6:18).”
“Spiritually–minded Is Life Eternal”
On the other hand, dive are pondering in our hearts the things of righteousness, we shall become righteous. If virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, our confidence shall wax strong in the presence of God and he in turn will rain down righteousness upon us. (CR, October 1973, p. 56.)
In describing the character of one who “shall dwell with the devouring fire,” who “shall dwell in everlasting burnings”—that is, one who will qualify for exaltation Isaiah said that such is one that “walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high” (Isaiah 33:14-15; italics added).
In order to qualify to go where God and angels are, man must take an affirmative and wholesome approach to life and world conditions—this in spite of eroding values and an ever-growing avalanche of evil. In Paul’s language, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).