Humans have a phenomenal ability to extract and apply values from one situation to another. Even children can readily extract and apply values from the stories they are told, even while they are too young to read for themselves.
The ability for humans to map the ideal transcends differences in circumstance. We can aptly extract and apply values from stories even if the character is taller, stronger, richer, or smarter than us. We can do it across time and across cultures.
For example, we can study the life of Christ and, in so doing, give an answer to the question of “what would Jesus do?” across a surprisingly broad set of circumstances with confidence sufficient to motivate astonishingly deep sacrifice. We can do this in spite of his being the Son of God, in spite of his having lived 2,000 years ago, and in spite of his culture and language being wholly different from ours. Unfortunately, it is rare to find a person whose effort to do as Jesus would do in their place matches their ability to imagine what he would do in their place.
God requires everything we have to give, all the time.
...O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. (D&C 4:2)
We must ask and answer the question “what would Jesus do” and do it, in every moment of every situation of every day of life. We have to do all things “in his name,” or according to his character:
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17)
Salvation requires you to live according to your sincere answer, and to do all in your power to learn more.