LDS Church Restricts AI Use for Sacred Functions
LDS Church restricts AI for sacred functions, emphasizing divine inspiration over technology in creating images of Jesus and preparing conference talks.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Draws Clear Lines on AI Use for Sacred Matters
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has made a firm public statement restricting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for certain sacred functions, specifically the creation of images of Jesus Christ and the preparation of talks for its semiannual general conferences. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, a member of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, emphasized that while the Church utilizes AI in various practical ways, divine inspiration cannot be replaced or replicated by artificial intelligence.
Background and Official Position
During the “Organized Intelligence 2025” conference held at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City in early November 2025, Elder Gong elaborated on the Church’s stance regarding AI. He stated, “We know artificial intelligence cannot replace revelation or generate truth from God, nor should we allow AI to come between us and our personal relationship with God.” This declaration was part of a broader discussion on the integration and ethical boundaries of AI in religious life and practice.
The Church acknowledges the practical benefits of AI in administrative and educational roles. For example, AI tools assist in organizing meeting agendas, summarizing notes, managing reminders, and supporting missionary work through social media content generation. However, such uses are considered aids rather than replacements for spiritual leadership and personal revelation. The Church has also issued guiding principles for AI use, underscoring that AI must serve and not supplant spiritual stewardship or the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Theological and Ethical Concerns
Elder Gong, who recently participated in a Vatican summit on AI ethics, highlighted the profound challenges AI poses to human identity, dignity, and the relationship with the Divine. He cautioned against allowing AI to distort perceptions of reality, truth, and faith. The Church is concerned about AI’s ability to generate “made-to-order” truth that could undermine genuine faith and spiritual experience.
At the Rome Summit on Ethics and Artificial Intelligence in October 2025, Elder Gong announced a multifaith initiative to create an evaluation tool that gauges how AI models handle matters of faith, ethics, and human dignity. This initiative reflects a proactive approach to ensuring AI systems reflect moral grounding consistent with religious and human values, rather than purely technological or commercial interests.
AI Use Within the Church: Boundaries and Opportunities
The Church’s use of AI is strategic and cautious. While it embraces AI’s potential to enhance efficiency and outreach, it draws explicit boundaries around its use in spiritual creation and ritual. Creating images of Jesus Christ is seen as a deeply sacred act that should remain free from artificial manipulation, preserving the authenticity and reverence of religious art. Similarly, talks delivered at general conferences—an event watched worldwide by millions—are considered divinely inspired and thus inappropriate for AI preparation.
Nonetheless, AI-assisted tools are encouraged for supporting Church administrative functions, educational endeavors, and personalized member engagement. For example:
- AI summarizing ward council meeting notes and suggesting follow-ups
- Assisting with ministering visit reminders and tracking service projects
- Helping create uplifting social media posts and visual designs that share gospel messages
Such uses are framed as tools to free leaders and members to focus more on personal revelation and service, maintaining a clear distinction between human spiritual agency and machine assistance.
Broader Religious and Social Context
The LDS Church’s position aligns with concerns voiced by other religious leaders worldwide. For example, Pope Leo XIV recently rejected AI-generated representations of himself, calling AI “an empty, cold shell” and warning against losing the human element in faith through overreliance on technology. The LDS Church’s engagement in multifaith dialogues and ethical summits demonstrates a global religious effort to shape AI’s moral compass and ensure it respects human dignity and divine principles.
Visual Highlights
- Elder Gerrit W. Gong speaking at the Organized Intelligence 2025 Conference in Salt Lake City, emphasizing ethical AI use in faith contexts.
- Images from the Church Office Building where the conference was held, illustrating the setting of this important dialogue.
- Visuals of AI tools supporting Church administrative functions, such as meeting agenda preparation and social media content creation, reflecting practical AI integration.
- Graphics from the multifaith AI ethics initiative showcased at the Vatican summit, symbolizing global religious cooperation on AI’s moral challenges.
The LDS Church’s careful approach to AI underscores a broader societal challenge: balancing technological innovation with the preservation of spiritual authenticity and human values. By setting clear boundaries on AI’s role in sacred matters while embracing its practical benefits, the Church models a nuanced path forward in the digital age. This stance highlights the enduring importance of personal revelation, divine guidance, and ethical stewardship in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
