Quick Reference
Look at how many denominations Christianity has! Obviously it can't be true!
Answer:
Though Christianity does have many different denominations, it does not necessarily mean that the claims of Christianity are false. If that were the case, then Mormonism must be rejected as well, since in its 160+ year existence there have been at least 100 splinter groups--or denominations--from the Church that Joseph Smith began in 1830. The existence of these groups cannot be used as evidence for the falsity of Mormonism and/or Christianity. Their exclusive claims to truth must be evaluated strictly in light of the Bible. Only then can someone know if they are true or not.
The Trinity can't be true--it just doesn't make sense!
Answer:
Being able to understand (comprehend) something cannot be a good guideline for determining the existence of something. If we were to be consistent in this test for truth, we would have to reject a good many things because we don't 'understand' them. For instance, I would have to reject the existence of electricity, the space shuttle, and Bill Clinton's re-election, to name just a few. Just because I don't understand something, does not necessarily mean that something cannot exist. If this is true, then a being as complex as God, whose very nature defies human reason, can and does exist despite our finite understanding.
The question should first be, does the Bible teach a concept known as a "Trinity"? That is, one God, who is eternally manifested in three distinct persons? If we discover it does, then our thinking must conform to that truth. Only then will we be able to apprehend the God who is there.
Click here for a definition and diagram of the Trinity.
Christianity does not have a living Prophet--we do! How else can we know God's will for his Church today?
Answer:
Christians DO have a Living Prophet! His name is Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1: 2 states that 'in these last days, he [God] has spoken to us by his Son.' Jesus was the greatest of all the Old Testament prophets. But unlike the Old Testament prophets, who were finite sinners who died and left a void to be filled by another, Jesus is the perfect Prophet--sinless, without end of life, who forever fills the role of Living Prophet for His Church, who fills all voids with His infinite Life. The true Church is secure throughout the ages under His care and direction, through His Holy Word, the Bible.
True Christians wouldn't criticize another persons' religion. We Mormons don't criticize you.
Answer:
On the contrary, Christians are commanded to 'judge with righteous judgment.' This means to exercise discernment. If a Christian determines that something is wrong, then they are under a moral obligation to tell other people about it. To pretend a problem doesn't exist or downplay its importance would be a sin.
As for Mormons not criticizing other churches, the question becomes, "Why then does the Church send over 50,000 missionaries worldwide to convince people that the church they are attending is wrong?" Wasn't the message given to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove, "…they [the sects] were all wrong…all their creeds were an abomination…" From this and many other statements by Church leaders up to the present day, it is clear that criticism of other religious groups has been a characteristic of the LDS faith.
Click here for further discussion.
The Bible is corrupt--we can't be sure of anything it says. That's why we need additional revelation such as the Book of Mormon.
Answer:
Actually, the Bible's accuracy of transmission is one of its strengths. From the thousands of whole or partial manuscript copies of the New Testament, scholars have been able to determine with a very high degree of certainty the actual words of the original documents. At no point does any disputed reading affect doctrine or practice.
Because the Bible is trustworthy, the Book of Mormon's claims to be the Word of God must be discounted, because it contradicts the previous revelation.
Click here for further information on the manuscript attestation for the New Testament.
Everyone knows that the early Church apostatized. The Bible talks about it. Therefore, God needed to restore his true Church to the earth, through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Answer:
First, let's look at a few of the proof texts used to argue for a total apostasy.
1 Timothy 4:1: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils…"
Gal 1:6 & 7: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
2 Pet 2:1 & 2: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
None of these verses (nor any other LDS proof texts used for this argument) make the claim that ALL would fall away, only some. What needs to be avoided when dealing with any text is an arbitrary reading into the text a meaning that is not present. We should always let the text speak for itself.
Secondly, Jesus Christ gave this assurance to Peter in Matthew 16:18: "Upon this rock will I build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Whether this "rock" is revelation as understood by the Latter-day Saints or not is not germane to the argument. The issue is that Jesus Himself would build His Church and Satan would not overcome it. To maintain that there was a complete apostasy the Mormon would have to make Jesus out to be either incompetent to fulfill what He promised, ignorant of the future, or worst of all, a liar; three untenable choices for Mormons and Christians alike.
But I have a testimony!
Answer:
Easily the most obvious problem with the LDS use of feelings as a test for truth (i.e., burning in the bosom, an overwhelming feeling that the LDS Church is true, etc.) is that it ignores the human capacity for self-deception. Anyone who has ever been in love knows how easy it is to deceive himself about the character and behavior of the person he loves. It is because of this capacity for self-deception that great care must be taken to avoid being misled. The Bible provides an objective way for determining truth.
Therefore, when we are confronted with Joseph Smith's claims of being a prophet of God we are able to turn to Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:20-22 to discern the truth. If after a careful evaluation we find Smith is not a true prophet of God, the testimony (the inner feeling) a person has must be put in a proper perspective. Only then can one be assured he is not being deceived.
For further discussion see:
Discerning Truth
If It Feels Good…