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Elder Gerrit W. Gong, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in a gospel context during Brigham Young University’s Education Week on August 19, 2025. Speaking at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, Elder Gong emphasized that wisdom and understanding are attributes belonging to God and encouraged attendees to seek these qualities through faith.
He outlined several key points from his study of scripture: that God can bless individuals with wisdom and understanding, but people should not confuse human knowledge with divine insight. “Scripture teaches us to seek God’s wisdom and understanding by trusting God and asking for it,” Elder Gong said. He explained that gaining such wisdom allows individuals to perceive things from God's perspective.
Addressing contemporary discussions about AI, Elder Gong stated, “Artificial intelligence cannot replace revelation or generate truth from God.” He further clarified, “Artificial intelligence is not God and cannot be God,” adding that AI can be used as a tool for good if guided by enduring faith-based principles and moral values. He called on leaders from various sectors—including industry, research, government, and faith communities—to ensure that rapid AI developments are aligned with ethical standards.
Elder Gong also warned against potential risks associated with AI technology. These include deepfakes—deceptive digital images or videos—and the risk that reliance on AI could discourage spiritual growth. “We are establishing protocols to guard against deep fakes, call out intentional misuse of AI, and mitigate the tendency for people to disbelieve everything when we can’t trust some things,” he said. He cautioned church members against using AI to write talks or complete religious assignments: “As Church members we will not grow spiritually if we let artificial intelligence write our sacrament [meeting] talks or do our seminary homework. AI cannot replace our individual effort and spiritual preparation as we prepare lessons, prayers or blessings.”
He added that while AI has value as a tool when used wisely, it is not a solution for every challenge: “We are not afraid of AI, nor do we think it is the answer to every problem. As we work hard and smart, AI can be a valuable tool to enhance but not replace our own efforts.”
Elder Gong concluded his remarks by focusing on the Atonement of Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of wisdom and transformation. He assured those concerned about past decisions that redemption is possible through faith in Jesus Christ: “There may be a spiritual distinction between our lived past and our living past. Our lived past encompasses the lived facts of our intents, decisions and actions. Our living past reflects the possibility of redemptive changes to our past. Please remember, Jesus Christ and His Atonement can cleanse, sanctify and transform the effects of our intents, decisions and actions. Through our faith unto repentance and our Savior’s Atonement, God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ can bless us and those we love with all the divine goodness, change and forgiveness we are willing to receive.”
He ended by highlighting the global reach of restored gospel truths through Joseph Smith’s work: “All the peoples of the earth are blessed by the unbroken succession of restored gospel truth and restored priesthood authority and power in the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ,” Elder Gong said. “This latter-day Restoration began with the Prophet Joseph Smith and continues with President Russell M. Nelson today.”
For more information about how The Church uses artificial intelligence tools within its organization visit Principles for Church Use of Artificial Intelligence (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/principles-for-church-use-of-artificial-intelligence).
