The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has updated its general handbook to include more principled guidance on the use of artificial intelligence.
A new section includes guidelines for the appropriate use of artificial intelligence (see 38.8.47).
The handbook states that “AI cannot replace the gift of divine inspiration or the personal work required to receive it,” and warns members and leaders that “interaction with AI cannot replace meaningful relationships with God and others.”
The update was rolled out in December and announced in a Dec. 16 news release posted to ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The new section's teachings encourage Church members to follow the Savior's example.
“Jesus Christ taught with power and authority. He asked the Father for divine direction. He relied on scripture and prayer. He lived and taught only what he learned from the Father,” the handbook's “Learning and Teaching” (38.8.47.1) says.
38.8.47.2 “Relationships with God and Others” says, “Jesus Christ had a personal and sacred relationship with the Father. He prayed to the Father, learned from the Father, and accomplished His will. Jesus also had meaningful relationships with other people: He listened to them, talked to them, understood their needs, and served them.”
Four principles of AI utilization
The handbook states that when used properly, AI can be an effective tool to support Church members in their work. For example, as of March of this year, when you access the General Handbook, you'll have access to an AI-powered search assistant to help you find answers to your questions.
The handbook currently provides four principles for Latter-day Saints to appropriately use AI in the responsibilities of the Church (38.8.47.3).
- When members use AI, they must do so in a positive, helpful, and uplifting manner that upholds the integrity, standards, and teachings of the Church.
- AI cannot replace the personal work and spiritual direction required to prepare divinely inspired talks, lessons, prayers, and blessings. However, AI can be useful for tasks such as research, editing, and translation.
- Leaders should not rely on AI to provide advice to members on medical, financial, legal, or other sensitive matters. If a member needs assistance beyond spiritual guidance from Church leaders, qualified professionals may be helpful.
- Sensitive information, such as church records, member personal data, and confidential communications, should not be entered into AI tools that are not provided or controlled by the church.
Church leaders are also speaking about AI to Latter-day Saints and audiences around the world in devotions, summits, and talks.
For more information, visit ChurchofJesusChrist.org/AI.
Other December 2025 General Handbook Updates
The Comprehensive Handbook: Service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to be updated as needed under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This is to provide pastoral guidance, clarity and inspiration to local leaders, according to an update on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Here are some of the other updates in the December release:
- Clarified age requirements for participating in youth activities (see 10.2.1.3, 11.2.1.3, 20.4, 20.7.2).
- New section providing guidance on baptism and confirmation preparatory meetings (see 12.1.8).
- New instructions for Primary presidency members to attend missionary coordination conferences and temple and family history coordination conferences (see 12.3.2).
- Clarified information about calling a patriarch and receiving a patriarchal blessing (see 6.6, 18.17, 38.2.10).
- Clarified the purpose of the weekly missionary coordination meeting and emphasized the use of the Covenant Path progress report, aligning it with Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see 23.4).
- Clarified and updated welfare instructions (see 22.3.2 to 22.5.1.1).
- Revised guidelines for Bible editions and translations (see 38.8.40). For more information, see this church news article published Dec. 16.
Details about these and other updates can be found in the “Recent Updates Overview” section at the beginning of the handbook.
