“A Merry Christmas, Uncle! God save you!”
Dear friends,
I have always thought of Christmas time ... as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.
Steven Christiansen recently accepted an appointment as Vice President and COO
Dear Members of the Mormon Transhumanist Association:
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Christiansen as Global Vice President and COO of the Mormon Transhumanist Association.
Steve currently serves as Chapter President of the Provo, Utah Chapter, where he has been indefatigable in elevating our local meetups through exceptional guest speakers and significantly increased attendance and engagement. He will continue serving as Provo Chapter President in a pro tempore capacity until new leadership is called.
Dear Friends,
This year found us stretching heavenward and traversing distant continents. Here’s what the Association accomplished.
With the generous help of SEO and marketing guru Kurt Manwaring, the Association made a serious investment in market research to understand better which demographics resonate most strongly with our message and how best to reach them. Kurt’s diligence and expertise resulted in valuable insights and a detailed plan for website and podcast content that will soon launch. Stay tuned!
Dear Members of the Mormon Transhumanist Association:
We are pleased to announce the appointment of a new leadership team for the Africa Region of the Mormon Transhumanist Association:
Each of these individuals has demonstrated outstanding leadership, initiative, and commitment to the Association’s values and goals. We trust they will continue to contribute meaningfully in their new roles.
Matt Gardner is a Seminary teacher in Lehi, dedicated to helping youth navigate the complex ethical and spiritual landscape presented by emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. He approaches the subject from a pragmatic, faith-based perspective, drawing on principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to guide his pedagogy. ¶ Recognizing both the potential benefits and potential risks of AI—the former promising a quasi-millennial era, the latter potentially apocalyptic—Gardner focuses on equipping students with the tools to critically assess and engage with these technologies. His teaching methodology is based on three core principles: acting in faith, examining concepts from an eternal perspective, and seeking understanding from divinely appointed sources. He emphasizes the importance of framing questions within a gospel context rather than a purely worldly one. ¶ Gardner’s presentations often incorporate real-world examples, such as the Tesla Bot Optimus, to stimulate discussion and encourage students to consider the implications of AI development. He is committed to providing practical teaching tools that empower youth and their parents to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in a thoughtful and informed manner.
The Mormon Transhumanist Association announces the results of recent director elections. The following individuals have been elected as the new directors (listed in alphabetical order by first name, not by amount of votes received):
It is anticipated that all three will transition into their new term this month.
We wish to congratulate the new directors and look forward to their service. We also extend our sincere thanks to the other nominees for their continued support and willingness to serve.
MTAConf 2025 will take place on October 18, 2025 in Provo, Utah. More details can be found on the conference website.
MTAConf banner
Dear Friends and Fellow Supporters of the Mormon Transhumanist Association,
Merry Christmas from the MTA
The Mormon Transhumanist Association announces the results of recent director elections. The following individuals received the four greatest number of votes and will become the new directors (listed in alphabetical order by first name, not by amount of votes received):
A ballot being cast in a box
It is anticipated that all four will transition into their new term starting May 1, 2024.
We wish to congratulate the new directors and look forward to their service. We also extend our sincere thanks to the other nominees for their continued support and willingness to serve.
MTAConf 2024: The Glory of God Is Intelligence, explored cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning through the unique lens of Mormon theology. Held on April 13th in Provo, Utah, the day-long event featured keynote speeches from renowned experts Benjamin Peters and Irina Rish alongside presentations by members and invited guests. Topics spanned the technological frontiers of AI like large language models, computer vision, and neural networks, as well as the profound philosophical and spiritual implications for consciousness, agency, creativity, and human flourishing. Presenters grappled with heady questions around the nature of intelligence, ethics and existential risk, value alignment, the simulation hypothesis, theosis and human exaltation in relation to superintelligence. Throughout, Mormon transhumanist perspectives offered unique theological insights into how embracing science and technological progress can be a deeply religious, even sacred pursuit.
Earlier this month, Elder Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued guiding principles for the appropriate use of artificial intelligence that align with gospel teachings. These principles emphasize maintaining spiritual connection, transparency, privacy, security, and accountability when utilizing AI.
Elder Gong addresses Church employees on AI