Elder Boyd K. Packer, 30 Mar.1990, warned the Church against:
1- Fast growth, in the Church.
2- A Desire to be accepted by the world
3- To be popular amongst our world
4- Warned about Prosperity.
So, by Revelation from the Lord, in 1832, which is 192 years ago, and by Elder Packer in 1990, 34 years ago, they have warned us. What about today? Have we been warned? Yes!
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost,” and Pres Nelson said, “I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation.” May 23, 2018 Pres Russell M. Nelson
“As President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior’s Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out.” Russell M. Nelson April 10, 2019
Artificial Intelligence
Can we be influenced by evil through Artificial Intelligence? I’m not an AI skeptic nor an AI alarmist. However, I don’t look forward to hearing the latest tech information about AI. I also don’t consider myself a non-informed person. I represent many of the average Joe and Janes’ in the Gospel, who have been wondering about the fervor and recent excitement about artificial intelligence, or AI.
“It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside.” Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation
“Both Alma and Helaman told of the church in their day. They warned about fast growth, the desire to be accepted by the world, to be popular, and particularly they warned about prosperity. Each time those conditions existed in combination, the Church drifted off course. All of those conditions are present in the Church today. Helaman repeatedly warned, I think four times he used these words, that the fatal drift of the church could occur ‘in the space of not many years.’ In one instance it took only six years. (See Helaman 6:32, 7:6, 11:26.)” (Boyd K. Packer- Transcript of an address given at a Regional Representatives Seminar, 30 March 1990, entitled “Let Them Govern Themselves.”)
Can AI influence the Church and its Members to drift and develop a faith crisis?
The First Presidency in 1942 said, “These days through which we are now passing present many problems which are new to all of us but are particularly strange to the younger generation — those who have little background of experience and whose knowledge is limited and immature. Infidelity, atheism, unchastity, intemperance, civil corruption, greed, avarice, ambition — personal, political, national — are more powerful today than at any other time in the lives of us now living. They are pulling and thrusting us almost at will into new fields of action, new lines of thought. They are shaking the faith, undermining the morals, polluting the lives of the people. They have thrown many so far off balance in all of their activities, economic, social, political, and religious, that they stand in real danger of falling. Satan is making war against all the wisdom that has come to men through their ages of experience. He is seeking to overturn and destroy the very foundations upon which society, government, and religion rest. He aims to have men adopt theories and practices which he induced their forefathers, over the ages, to adopt and try, only to be discarded by them when found unsound, impractical, and ruinous. He plans to destroy liberty and freedom — economic, political, and religious, and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed men. He is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods. There is no crime he would not commit, no debauchery he would not set up, no plague he would not send, no heart he would not break, no life he would not take, no soul he would not destroy. He comes as a thief in the night; he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Without their knowing it, the people are being urged down paths that lead only to destruction. Satan never before had so firm a grip on this generation as he has now.” President Heber J. Grant was present and presided at the Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning sessions. President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., First Counselor in the First Presidency, and President David O. McKay, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, were present at all the sessions. President McKay conducted the services at all the sessions.
J. Reuben Clark Jr., First Counselor in the First Presidency, 29 Sept. 1950 also said, “In the early church the Saints were extremely anxious for two things: First, to be well thought of by the pagans. Their ears itched for praise. Do any of you brethren know anything about such a tendency as that?” (In “Remarks at Bishop’s Meeting,” J. Reuben Clark Papers, box 151, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.)
I believe AI and CGI are only good in the hands of a MORAL people just like our Constitution. But, as we know our Constitution has bee usurped by evil men and women today, and it is hanging by a thread. As long as AI and CGI promote the truth of Christ, it is fine. The problem I feel is that is not totally possible in this world today. I believe the scripture that says, “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen.” D&C 121:39-40.ALMOST ALL, nearly every human on this earth past and present have been deceived as various times. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23I don’t trust what man may do with AI. I only trust the Lord. I do think however there are many good uses for AI, but we must be careful just as we are with TV, Internet, and Smart Phones.
Artificial Intelligence vs. Light and Truth!
“The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples; and whatsoever temple is defiled, God shall destroy that temple. The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.” D&C 93:35-40
An Intelligence & Intelligence from God
“He that his commandments receiveth and , until he is glorified in truth and all things. Man was also in the with God. , or the of , was not or made, neither indeed can be. All truth is independent in that in which God has placed it, to for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.: D&C 93:28-30
“And the Lord said unto me: These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am than they all.” Abraham 3:19
“Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the same messenger there, and received instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews, respecting what the Lord was going to do, and how and in what manner his was to be conducted in the last days.” JSH 1:54
See my different blog about AI here:
Guiding Principles for the Church of Jesus Christ’s Use of Artificial Intelligence
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-jesus-christ-artificial-intelligence
In a meeting with employees worldwide, Elder Gong urges reliance on the Spirit, wisdom, and trusted sources while using AI
“We can create appropriate balances in our perceptions, plans, and implementation of generative AI that are realistic both of opportunity and challenge — put another way, that are neither giddy nor alarmist,” Elder Gong said of these principles.
Spiritual Connection
- The Church will use artificial intelligence to support and not supplant connection between God and His children.
- The Church will use artificial intelligence in positive, helpful, and uplifting ways that maintain the honesty, integrity, ethics, values, and standards of the Church.
Transparency
- People interacting with the Church will understand when they are interfacing with artificial intelligence.
- The Church will provide attribution for content created with artificial intelligence when the authenticity, accuracy, or authorship of the content could be misunderstood or misleading.
Privacy and Security
- The Church’s use of artificial intelligence will safeguard sacred and personal information.
Accountability
- The Church will use artificial intelligence in a manner consistent with the policies of the Church and all applicable laws.
- The Church will be measured and deliberate in its use of artificial intelligence by regularly testing and reviewing outputs to help ensure accuracy, truthfulness, and compliance.
“The guiding principles are intended to support the responsible use of AI by the Church workforce,” Elder Pingree said. “These principles may also be helpful for members and friends of the Church as they navigate a world changing due to AI.”
The Church of Jesus Christ sees several opportunities with AI including in family history work, accelerating and automating processes, and great potential for language translation and interpretation. Generative AI may also offer natural language queries and prompts to help Latter-day Saints find current, accurate information from designated, grounded, and approved Church sources, such as ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
“Overall, I am optimistic about our ability to use these AI technologies wisely and effectively, and to protect Church members and friends from the deceitful spread of falsehoods or untruth,” Elder Gong said.
Elder Gong acknowledged that some people will weaponize AI tools. Of particular concern are deepfakes, the fictitious or malicious use of someone’s name, image, and likeness. These are most likely to happen to people — such as Church leaders — who have a recognizable face and voice, a significant amount of video and audio in the public domain, and known and motivated antagonists.
Elder Gong said reliance on the Holy Spirit, wisdom and trusted sources can help inoculate against deepfakes.
The Holy Spirit
“‘Light and truth’ are a scriptural definition of intelligence,” Elder Gong said, speaking of Doctrine and Covenants 93:36. “While generative artificial intelligence may be quick to offer information, it can never replace revelation or generate truth. If something does not feel right or is inconsistent with what you know is true, seek to discern before believing.”
Wisdom
“Wisdom,” the Apostle said, “helps us use knowledge, experience, and judgment to make good decisions. The scriptures remind us: ‘blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom’ (2 Nephi 28:30). Draw from your experiences and apply wisdom to know what is true.”
Trusted Sources
Because so many voices vie for our attention, it is critical we “anchor ourselves with trusted sources of truth,” Elder Gong said. These include “the Holy Ghost, scriptures, words of the prophets, and the Church’s authoritative website, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.”
Joseph Fielding Smith of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 28 Dec. 1938 said, “It is a very apparent fact that we have traveled far and wide in the past 20 years. What the future will bring I do not know. But if we drift as far afield from fundamental things in the next 20 years, what will be left of the foundation laid by the Prophet Joseph Smith? It is easy for one who observes to see how the apostasy came about in the primitive church of Christ. Are we not traveling the same road?” (Joseph Fielding Smith Journal, entry for 28 Dec. 1938.)
Remember what Elder Packer said from above.
1- Fast growth, in the Church.
2- A desire to be accepted by the world
3- To be popular amongst our world
4- Warned about prosperity.
