Learning Spiritual Truth – What I’ve Learned From “Starting Over” With a Fresh Sheet of Paper

Posted June 8, 2025 | End Times Watch

How does a person learn spiritual truth—about God, Heaven, life after death, and what God wants us to do while we’re here on earth?

Most people’s first instinct is to join a church and let it teach them the so-called “spiritual mysteries.” But once you begin comparing the doctrines of different Christian churches, you quickly discover they contradict each other. Logically, that means some teachings must be false—because they can’t all be true.

This shouldn’t surprise us. Every church is governed by people, and people are imperfect. Every church, sadly, includes some degree of error in its teachings. So, the question becomes: What can you do about it?

Two years ago, I began a new journey to rediscover the true teachings of Jesus Christ. I started with a clean slate—no bias, no agenda. I wasn’t trying to prove a church right or wrong. I just wanted to find out what was true. Then I would take what I found to God in prayer and ask Him to confirm what was true and what was not.

This approach changed everything for me.

I wasn’t focused on who had taught falsely or why. I wasn’t bitter or distracted. It was refreshing to simply seek truth, knowing God would help me learn. I was teachable, and I had faith that God would guide me.

James 1:5 (KJV)
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

So where should someone begin when searching for spiritual truth?

For me, the answer was simple: Jesus Christ walked the earth, and one of His main purposes was to teach His gospel. His teachings are recorded in the New Testament of the Bible.

If you follow this same path, your first step is to decide which Bible translation you’ll use. Personally, I use the King James Version (KJV), but choose the one you feel is most accurate.

If you prefer a traditional approach, begin by studying the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which record the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

But if you’re the kind of person who thrives on fast-paced learning—like cramming for finals—there’s a modern tool I’ve come to love: Artificial Intelligence (AI). It has made scripture study both fun and deeply rewarding.

Using AI to Study the Teachings of Christ

AI is the best tool I’ve found for scripture study. You can search for all verses on a specific topic, and in seconds, you’ll get a comprehensive list. It helps you organize your study and stay focused.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room:

“My church leaders said not to use AI for personal study.”

You may come to see why they’ve said that. I will let you answer that question for yourself. But AI makes it incredibly easy to access what the Bible actually says. That kind of access may expose inconsistencies between what your church teaches and what Christ taught.

So, is AI “of the devil”? If so, churches wouldn’t use it, right?

Yes, the LDS Church Uses AI

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) uses AI extensively in these ways:

1. Family History and Genealogy

They operate FamilySearch, one of the largest genealogical databases worldwide, where AI:

• Matches family records and suggests ancestors
• Transcribes and indexes old documents with handwriting recognition
• Helps users discover their lineage

2. Translation and Accessibility

• AI tools translate talks and materials into dozens of languages
• Voice and audio tools make content accessible via subtitles and dubbing

3. Content Moderation and Outreach

• Used in missionary work, chatbots, and targeted gospel-sharing tools

4. Internal Operations

• AI analyzes trends, attendance, and data to guide leadership decisions

Clearly, the Church sees the value in AI. And if you do too, don’t let fear stop you from using this tool to find truth.

How to Use AI for Bible Study

I use ChatGPT. You can create an account and log in regularly, which helps AI track your topics and stay consistent.

Instead of searching for “everything about Jesus’ teachings,” I recommend narrowing your focus to one subject at a time.

In the search bar, type:

“Can you show me all scriptures in the KJV Bible that pertain to the teachings of Jesus Christ about [your topic]?”

Here are a few topics you might explore:

• Life after death
• The Atonement
• Saved by grace
• The importance of works
• The Judgments (yes, there are two)
• Christ’s true Church
• Can we become gods?
• What is man’s true purpose on earth?

AI will return a list of scriptures directly from the Bible on that topic. It brings clarity and focus to your study.

You can ask AI for explanations of these scriptures, but remember: the real teacher is the Holy Ghost. Let AI assist with gathering data—but don’t rely on it for interpretation. Instead, pray for God’s confirmation.

Always bring what you learn to God. Ask Him, “Is this true?” He will show you. Ask in faith, and He will answer you.

In the beginning, avoid using outside religious texts. Stick with the Bible so that you’re not studying someone else’s interpretation. If something ever contradicts scripture, take it to God. He is the ultimate authority.

What if Truth Conflicts with Your Religion?

What should you do when you find something in the Bible that contradicts your church’s teachings?

That answer may be easier than you think.

I’ve concluded that all churches contain some error. But I also recognize that my current church community offers me a meaningful, positive lifestyle and connection with wonderful people. You may choose to stay for those same reasons, but with awareness of the truths you’ve discovered.

There’s no need to confront or debate others in the middle of a church meeting. Just walk your path quietly and humbly—you are a guest in the church you attend. Do not be disruptive.

However, if you decide to step away, be careful: I’ve seen too many people leave a church and also walk away from God. Don’t let that happen to you. That would be a major step backward. The purpose of your study is to bring you CLOSER to God, not further away.

Ready to Go Deeper? Study the End Times.

If you want a fascinating and urgent next step, begin studying what the Bible says about the end times:

• The 7-year Tribulation
• The Antichrist
• The Mark of the Beast
• Daniel’s 70 Weeks
• God’s bowls of wrath
• The third temple in Jerusalem
• The rapture
• And much more…

I encourage you to subscribe to our free blog at www.EndTimesWatch.blog. We’re preparing believers for what lies ahead—and I’d love for you to join us.

As you begin your journey, take heart in knowing that your true leader is Jesus Christ, not a religious institution. That realization has brought me great peace.

I wish you the very best in your search for truth. You’re not alone—and the Holy Spirit will guide you every step of the way.