JOEL - This is not what we believe.
We are not trying to earn our way into heaven.
There are very few specific things that we must do to
get there, and they are limited to specific saving
priesthood ordinances that must be performed on
earth(eg. baptism(John 3:5), marriage, etc).
What we believe is that all the other good things we
do in life help make us into a person worthy
of such a glory, not that the things themselves are
what get us there, but it is who we become by doing
those things that gets us there.
Jesus said:
"In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2)
Which mansion we go to depends on who we have become
while on earth. We will not go to a mansion that our souls are not
prepared for. You may not accept this doctrine, but this is what we
believe.
Having said that we must consider the following scriptures:
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:" (Matt. 6: 20)
"Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may
have eternal life?"
Jesus answered him saying:
"If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven: and come and follow me." (Matt. 19: 21)
According to these scriptures it appears that in order to have these treasures in heaven(eternal life),we are required to do something on this earth. But notice that Jesus told the man that "if thou wilt be perfect" he should give to the poor. It is not necessarily the act of giving to the poor that will get him into heaven, it is what he becomes by doing so(perfect) that will get him there. When we have perfected ourselves we will be able to abide a Celestial glory.
Apostle Dallin H. Oaks said:
"From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."
(Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” New Era, Aug. 2002, 12)