As humanity navigates the midpoint of 2026, the line between human creativity and algorithmic output has become nearly invisible. In this landscape of digital ubiquity, the question of spiritual authenticity emerges as a major ethical and existential inquiry. Elder Gerrit W. Gong, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently addressed this issue, offering a profound analysis of how believers can discern the "still, small voice" of the divine amidst the noise of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Challenge of Digital Simulation
Elder Gong’s core thesis focuses on the ability of Generative AI to create content that appears deeply spiritual, comforting, or even prophetic. With the advent of models that can compose sermons, prayers, and religious commentaries in seconds, the danger is not just deception, but a gradual alienation from genuine spiritual experience. Gong emphasizes that while AI can process data, it lacks "spirit" or the capacity for true empathy.
The concern expressed is not about the technology itself—which is recognized as a powerful tool for research and organization—but about our tendency to outsource our spiritual judgment to algorithms. According to Elder Gong, spiritual discernment requires an internal state that technology cannot replicate. AI operates on probabilities, while faith operates on relationships and personal revelation.
Discernment: The New Spiritual Skill
In his discourse, Elder Gong suggested that the ability to "hear Him" now requires a conscious disconnection from digital noise. In a world where deepfakes can mimic the voice and likeness of religious leaders, trust can no longer be based solely on the senses. "We must develop spiritual ears," he noted, implying that the confirmation of truth must come through internal witness rather than a screen.
This call for discernment has broader ethical implications. As individuals use AI to find answers to deep existential questions, there is a fear they will settle for the "average solution" offered by the algorithm, stripped of the depth of personal sacrifice and lived faith. AI tends to smooth over contradictions and offer the most likely outcome, whereas spiritual growth often occurs through uncertainty and struggle.
The Ethics of Technological Use in Religion
Elder Gong does not reject technology but calls for an ethical framework. The Church has already begun integrating AI tools for text translation and genealogical research, areas where data accuracy is paramount. However, the red line is drawn at the mediation of divine communication. The idea that a machine could replace the process of prayer or receiving inspiration is considered spiritually hazardous.
- AI as a learning tool, not a source of ultimate truth.
- The importance of human connection within religious communities.
- Protection against AI-fueled religious misinformation.
- Preserving the sacred nature of personal revelation.
Ultimately, Elder Gong’s teaching serves as a reminder that technology, no matter how advanced, remains an extension of human capabilities and not a substitute for divine essence. The challenge for the modern believer—and for any thinking individual—is to use the tools of their time without losing contact with the internal source of their wisdom.
"Artificial Intelligence can simulate knowledge, but only the Spirit can convey the truth that transforms the heart."
As we move into a future where AI will be embedded in every aspect of life, the need for spiritual "vigilance" becomes imperative. The voice of God, according to this approach, is not found in large language models, but in the silence that follows sincere seeking.
