Church Handbook Offers Enduring Guidance on Artificial Intelligence

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided updated principles regarding artificial intelligence in its "General Handbook." The update, released on December 16, 2025, emphasizes the importance of divine inspiration and human connection alongside technological advancements.

The updated handbook cautions against substituting AI for personal relationships with God and others, stating that AI cannot replace divine inspiration. Instead, Latter-day Saints are encouraged to emulate Jesus Christ in learning, teaching, and building relationships.

The handbook highlights Jesus Christ's reliance on divine direction, scripture, and prayer, emphasizing His personal relationship with God and meaningful connections with people. He listened, understood needs, and ministered to others.

Specifically, the handbook offers four guiding principles for Latter-day Saints when using AI in Church assignments:

• Use AI in ways that positively support the Church's integrity, standards, and teachings.
• Recognize that AI can assist with tasks like research and translation but cannot replace personal effort and spiritual guidance in preparing talks, lessons, prayers, or blessings.
• Avoid relying on AI for advice on sensitive matters like medical, financial, or legal issues; instead, seek qualified professionals when needed.
• Protect sensitive information, such as Church records and personal data, by not entering it into AI tools not managed by the Church.

Church leaders have consistently addressed AI principles over the past two years. In January 2024, Elder David A. Bednar spoke to Brigham Young University students, emphasizing that AI's value depends on its use and urging them to strengthen their moral agency through its application. He cautioned against using technology as a shortcut to avoid necessary righteous work.

Elder Bednar later invited members to identify gospel principles for AI use and seek the Holy Ghost's guidance, noting that technological advancements like AI contribute to the Lord's work. Elder Gerrit W. Gong has also addressed AI, introducing guiding principles for Church employees in March 2024 and emphasizing the importance of seeking God's wisdom at BYU in August 2025. He stated that AI should support, not replace, our connection with God.

Elder Gong emphasized that AI is not God and should be used for good. He encouraged leaders and citizens across sectors to align AI with faith-based principles. He also stated that God blesses those who seek wisdom and understanding.

He further stated that AI cannot replace revelation. Individuals are responsible for ensuring the Holy Ghost can attest to the truth of their words and content.

At an October 2025 Vatican City summit on AI ethics, Elder Gong stressed the need for faith traditions to be accurately and respectfully represented in AI, especially as AI becomes a primary information source.

Latter-day Saints are encouraged to review Church leaders’ teachings on artificial intelligence and “General Handbook” section 38.8.47, “Appropriate Use of Artificial Intelligence.”