Elder Gong Puts AI in a Gospel Context

At a devotional during Brigham Young University’s annual Education Week, Elder Gerrit W. Gong taught that the wisdom and understanding of God put artificial intelligence (AI) in a gospel context and point us to seek the universal blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Speaking to an audience in the Marriott Center on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Apostle shared key takeaways from his study of wisdom and understanding in the scriptures.

• Wisdom and understanding are characteristics of God.
• We must be careful to not confuse man’s wisdom or understanding with that of the Lord.
• God can bless us with wisdom and understanding.
• Scripture teaches us to seek God’s wisdom and understanding by trusting God and asking for it.
• When we receive wisdom and understanding from God, we can begin to see as He does, things we would otherwise not understand.

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Putting current conversations about AI in a gospel context, Elder Gong repeated thoughts he shared at a conference in Istanbul on July 29, 2025.

“Artificial intelligence is not God and cannot be God,” the Apostle said. “We can consciously choose and intentionally use AI as a tool for good [and] ... we can invite leaders and citizens across industry, research, civic and government bodies, and faith leaders to align rapid AI developments and enduring faith-based principles and moral values.”

What’s more, Elder Gong said, “artificial intelligence cannot replace revelation or generate truth from God. We have responsibility to ensure the Holy Ghost can attest to the truth and authenticity of all we say and share, in our form and in our content.”

Elder Gong also noted concerns with AI, such as deepfakes (deceptive images or videos) and the danger of using AI to bypass the work that brings spiritual growth.

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“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. “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.”

The Apostle added that “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’s final point was about the wisdom and understanding found in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

“No matter what else you hear today, I hope you will hear that, in His time and way, every glorious blessing in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is meant personally for you,” Elder Gong said. “Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ see, know and love you. They know everything about you and love you all the more.”

For those who worry about decisions they made in their past, Elder Gong reminded them of the miraculous cleansing effect of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

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“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.”

The Apostle’s concluding words focused on the global power of the truths restored through Joseph Smith.

“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.”

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Additional Resource

• Principles for Church Use of Artificial Intelligence