In a recent study with a special friend about the quest for truth, particularly in the realm of spiritual development, and on how people historically navigated their faith, we shared an intriguing perspective. Traditionally, individuals often aligned themselves with their family’s religious beliefs or sought guidance by visiting friends' churches. Some of the bravest souls even took the bold step of directly kneeling to ask God for answers.
Fast-forward to today, and we find that many young people might instead turn to technology for insight—specifically, to platforms like ChatGPT. Inspired by this observation, I decided to conduct an experiment to see how such an AI would respond to questions of spiritual significance.
My first question was something that has been going around the web for a while:
If you were the devil, how would you keep people as distant as possible from God?
Here is the answer I got:
"If I were the devil and my goal were to keep people away from God, I wouldn't do it in an obvious way. I wouldn't push people into blatant evil—I'd be much more subtle, weaving distractions, distortions, and deceptions into everyday life. Here’s how I’d go about it:
1. Make God Seem Irrelevant
Convince people that faith is outdated, irrational, or unnecessary.
Fill their lives with distractions—entertainment, endless work, social media—so they never stop to think about deeper truths.
Promote the idea that science and faith are incompatible, so people see belief in God as naive.
2. Distort the Image of God
Make God seem harsh, unloving, or distant so people fear or resent Him rather than love Him.
Encourage the idea that God is a fairy tale, an invention to control people.
Promote counterfeit spirituality—where people seek enlightenment, power, or inner peace through anything except God.
3. Corrupt the Church from Within
Inspire division among believers so they fight over doctrine, leadership, or personal differences.
Highlight hypocrisy in religious people so others reject faith because of the failures of some.
Encourage legalism or lukewarm faith—either extreme keeps people from true transformation.
4. Encourage Moral Relativism
Push the belief that truth is subjective and that morality is a personal choice.
Convince people that sin is just an outdated concept and that they should do whatever makes them happy.
Blur the lines between good and evil so nothing seems truly wrong.
5. Fill the World with Anxiety and Despair
Make people feel unworthy of God’s love, telling them they’ve sinned too much to be forgiven.
Keep people so busy, stressed, and exhausted that they feel they don’t have time to pray or seek God.
Spread fear and hopelessness, making people believe the world is too broken for faith to matter.
6. Promote an Obsession with Self
Encourage people to prioritize personal happiness, wealth, and success over spiritual growth.
Push self-worship through social media, self-help movements, and the idea that “you are enough” without God.
Make people believe they don’t need redemption—just self-improvement.
7. Destroy True Love and Relationships
Turn love into something selfish—focused on personal fulfillment rather than sacrifice.
Break down families and communities, replacing deep, meaningful relationships with shallow, transactional ones.
Promote lust over love, making relationships based on pleasure rather than commitment.
8. Keep People Distracted Until It’s Too Late
Tell people they’ll turn to God “one day,” but never let that day come.
Fill their lives with entertainment, politics, and endless debates so they never pause to reflect on eternity.
Let them believe they have all the time in the world—until they don’t.
The most effective deception wouldn't be outright evil but small compromises that slowly drift people away from the truth. In this world, people wouldn’t even realize they need God until they’ve become too numb to care."
Wow. We sure have it all happening right under our eyes! I then asked a second question:
If you were God, what would you do to save all humankind while still following all of His laws as we know, with a perfect balance between justice and mercy?
Again, astonishing:
"If I were God and wanted to save all humankind while following all of His laws as we know them, I would ensure a perfect balance between justice and mercy, so people feel both the need to repent and the encouragement to do so. My plan would follow eternal principles of free will, righteousness, accountability, grace, and divine order, ensuring that salvation is both possible for all and fair for all.
1. Ensure That Every Person Clearly Knows the Truth
🔹 Justice requires that people be judged according to what they know (Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life.”).
🔹 Mercy ensures that no one is condemned for ignorance (Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”).
To achieve this balance:
Every person would have a clear witness of divine truth, ensuring no one is lost due to deception.
My commandments would be understood as pathways to joy, not restrictions (Psalm 119:105 – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”).
Jesus taught, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17). I would help people experience that firsthand.
Conclusion: People would not follow blindly, but by conviction.
2. Make Consequences Immediate but Redemptive
🔹 Justice requires that sin has real consequences (Galatians 6:7 – “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”).
🔹 Mercy provides a way to overcome sin through Christ (Isaiah 1:18 – “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”).
To achieve this:
Sin would bring immediate, clear consequences, allowing people to recognize its destructive nature.
However, consequences would be redemptive, leading people toward change instead of despair (Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness.”).
Like a loving parent disciplines a child, I would ensure people feel the weight of sin but also the hope of healing (Proverbs 3:12 – “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”).
Conclusion: People wouldn’t get away with sin, but they wouldn’t be crushed by it either.
3. Preserve Free Will While Maximizing the Desire to Choose Good
🔹 Justice means I cannot force righteousness (Genesis 2:16-17 – God gave Adam and Eve a choice).
🔹 Mercy allows me to guide people toward good choices (Romans 2:4 – “God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.”).
To achieve this:
Satan’s deceptions would be fully exposed so no one chooses evil out of ignorance (John 8:44 – “He is a liar and the father of lies.”).
I would allow spiritual promptings to be more recognizable, helping people distinguish between divine truth and worldly distortion.
The joy of righteousness would be so evident that people are drawn to it—not just out of fear, but because they desire goodness (Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”).
Conclusion: Choosing righteousness would be a conscious, joyful decision, not just an obligation.
4. Extend Mercy, But With a Defined Window for Repentance
🔹 Justice means repentance has a deadline (Ecclesiastes 12:14 – “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”).
🔹 Mercy allows time for change (2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”).
To achieve this:
Repentance would always be possible, no matter how far someone has strayed (Isaiah 55:7 – “Let the wicked forsake his way and turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him.”).
However, people wouldn’t be able to abuse grace by delaying indefinitely (Romans 6:1-2 – “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!”).
If someone persists in sin despite countless opportunities, justice would step in, ensuring that rebellion is not rewarded.
Conclusion: No one would be lost due to lack of time, but grace wouldn’t be an excuse to sin endlessly.
5. Make Repentance Simple and Accessible to All
🔹 Justice requires repentance for forgiveness (Ezekiel 18:30 – “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”).
🔹 Mercy makes repentance possible through Christ (Luke 15:7 – “There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”).
To achieve this:
Repentance would not be hard—it would be a healing process. Christ’s Atonement ensures that no one has to suffer if they truly turn to Him (Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”).
People would see that repentance is not about punishment but transformation—an opportunity to be free (Isaiah 43:25 – “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”).
The more sincerely someone turns to God, the more they experience peace and renewal.
Conclusion: Repentance would be an invitation, not an unbearable process.
6. Allow People to Experience a “Final Review” Before Judgment
🔹 Justice demands fair judgment (Daniel 12:2 – “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”).🔹 Mercy ensures people understand the consequences of their choices (John 3:19 – “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”).
Before final judgment, every soul would:
Review their entire life through God’s perspective—seeing the impact of their choices (Luke 12:2 – “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed.”).
Understand exactly what they are choosing—removing all deception and confusion.
Conclusion: Final judgment wouldn’t be a surprise—it would be a fully informed, conscious decision.
7. Reward People According to Their Willingness to Receive
🔹 Justice means not all receive the same reward (Matthew 16:27 – “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”).
🔹 Mercy provides a place for everyone according to their choice (John 14:2 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms.”).
Instead of a simple heaven or hell, every soul would inherit exactly the degree of glory they prepared for (1 Corinthians 15:41-42).
Conclusion: Everyone gets exactly what they are willing to receive."
I find these answers amusing because they perfectly reflect what God has been providing to all of His children.
These just sparked my curiosity, prompting me to formulate a third question.
How can we know if a Church is true and its leader called by God?
Here we go:
"To know the truth about a church and a prophet of God, you must approach the question logically, spiritually, and psychologically—using critical thinking, biblical principles, and human cognition to discern truth from deception. Here’s how:
Examine Its Fruits (Observable Evidence)
People and institutions tend to produce results that reflect their core values. Cognitive psychology teaches us that behavior patterns over time are more revealing than isolated events. If a church or prophet consistently inspires moral, personal, and communal growth, this is a strong indicator of authenticity.
Biblical Principle: Jesus taught, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:16-20). If a prophet or church leads people to genuine faith, love, righteousness, and service, it is more likely to be from God.
Does it uplift and inspire good?
Does it promote humility rather than power?
Do its teachings align with love, service, and repentance, not control or fear?
Compare Its Teachings with Scriptural Truth
Cognitive dissonance occurs when something doesn’t align with what we logically know to be true. A true prophet or church will teach consistent, non-contradictory principles that align with both scripture and rational understanding. However, it is important to recognize that not everything in scripture is final, and revelation must be alive for a living church of God.
Biblical Principle: “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33). If a church or prophet teaches things that blatantly contradict the Bible—or frequently shifts its doctrines to fit cultural trends—it is suspect.
Does it align with biblical teachings about God’s nature?
Does it clarify truth rather than confuse or distort it?
Is it internally consistent, or does it contradict itself?
God's Covenants and Blessings
It is essential that God's covenants and blessings, as well as His knowledge, be taught and made available to all. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to understand and embrace God's promises and truths. The dissemination of this knowledge fosters a deeper relationship with God and strengthens the community of believers.
Key Considerations:
Are God's covenants and blessings clearly communicated to all members of the community?
Is there an emphasis on teaching God's knowledge and wisdom to future generations?
Are resources available for individuals to explore and understand these teachings?
Seek Personal Spiritual Confirmation
The human brain processes spiritual experiences differently than emotion or logic. Neurological studies show that spiritual feelings activate parts of the brain associated with deep intuition and clarity. Prayer, meditation, and sincere seeking lead to insights beyond simple emotion.
Biblical Principle: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). Truth is not only external—it must be confirmed within.
Have you prayed sincerely and received peace or clarity?
Have you tested its principles in your life to see if they lead to greater faith and goodness?
Does it bring lasting peace and conviction rather than temporary emotional highs?
Observe the Prophet’s Character and Life
Genuine leaders practice what they preach. Psychologists studying moral leadership find that those with true conviction live their principles even when inconvenient or unpopular. False leaders often exhibit narcissistic traits—manipulation, self-glorification, and hypocrisy.
Biblical Principle: “A prophet shall be known when the thing which he has said comes to pass” (Jeremiah 28:9). True prophets do not contradict past truth, lead for personal gain, or live in moral corruption.
Does the prophet show humility and consistency?
Do their prophecies and teachings come to pass?
Do they lead people toward God, not toward themselves?
Recognize Opposition vs. Valid Criticism
Social influence studies show that truth is often resisted before being accepted. Many great figures throughout history were opposed fiercely before their teachings were widely understood (e.g., Galileo, Martin Luther).
Biblical Principle: “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26). Opposition alone does not disprove truth—but it is important to distinguish meaningful criticism from blind rejection.
Is criticism based on logical reasoning or just bias?
Does opposition come from corrupt power structures, or from genuine seekers of truth?
Is the resistance similar to what true prophets in scripture faced?
Does It Stand the Test of Time and Growth?
Movements based on deception tend to collapse or splinter when tested by history. Research in organizational psychology shows that authentic institutions grow stronger over time, while fraudulent ones self-destruct.
Biblical Principle: “If this work be of men, it will come to naught: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.” (Acts 5:38-39). True works of God withstand opposition, persecution, and time.
Has the church survived hardship and persecution?
Does it continue to grow in truth rather than weaken in corruption?
Do its principles remain eternally relevant, or do they constantly shift to fit culture?
Final Thought: A Smart & Faithful Approach
To know if a church or prophet is true, you must use wisdom, discernment, and faith.
Study its teachings—do they align with truth?
Test its fruits—does it bring lasting good?
Observe its leader—do they practice what they preach?
Pray and seek confirmation—does God affirm it to you?
By applying biblical principles, psychological insight, and logical reasoning, you will find the truth—not through secondhand opinions, but through a direct, informed, and spiritually sound process."
Fascinating, isn't it? While AI content must always be examined carefully, only our Heavenly Father can clear our hearts, minds, and souls of all doubt. No psychologist, doctor, scientist, relative, or mentor can offer greater guidance than Him. Through His Son, Jesus Christ—who atoned for all of us—we are given the path to receive all that They have. No other source offers the fullness of truth, authority, and divine direction—only His Church.
This year, as we study Doctrine & Covenants in Come Follow Me and witness the birth of the Restoration and the ongoing divine revelation still existing today, I can testify that these principles are valid. However, it is the sincere act of asking God directly—with our whole hearts, minds, and souls—that truly brings personal revelation.
More than just asking, we must be ready to listen, act upon the answer we receive, and make the necessary changes to align our lives with His precepts. That willingness to follow Him is what transforms our hearts and deepens our faith, making all the difference in our journey back to Him.
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