Cerium-, terbium- and gadolinium-doped lanthanum borophosphate [La(BO3, PO4):Ce, Tb, Gd] phosphors have been prepared by a single-step calcination using BPO4 as the phosphate source. The structure of the prepared powder is identified as a monoclinic system with a space group of P2(1)/n by X-ray diffraction, which is the same as cerium orthophosphate. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) spectra indicate that the final product begins to form at about 850 degreesC. The dependence of the brightness of the powder on the concentration of flux and firing temperature is also investigated. The spectral characteristics of Ce3+, Tb3+ and Gd3+ in lanthanum borophosphate matrix are presented, and the energy transfers between different ions are discussed. In comparison with La(BO3, PO4):Ce, Tb, the addition of Gd3+ causes not only an increase in Tb3+ emission and a decrease in Ce3+ emission, but also the enhancement in green component of light. Gd3+ ion acts as the intermediate of energy transfer between Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions.