For Christians, the answer to the question of truth is simple and direct: God’s Word, the Bible, is our one and only authority. Scripture alone is sufficient for teaching, rebuke, correction, and training in righteousness: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
However, for Mormons, the situation is far more complicated. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) have multiple and often conflicting sources of truth. These include:
- The Book of Mormon
- Doctrine and Covenants
- The Pearl of Great Price
- Joseph Smith’s “Inspired Version” of the Bible
- Official LDS publications (magazines, manuals, conference talks)
- Theological writings of LDS apostles and prophets
- Temple rituals and ordinances
- Official proclamations by LDS leadership
- The “living prophet” at any given time
- Personal testimony confirmed by a subjective “burning in the bosom” from the Holy Ghost
With so many sources of authority, Mormon doctrine is fluid and inconsistent. What one LDS prophet declared in the past may be overturned by a later prophet. Yet the Bible makes clear that God does not contradict Himself: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
By contrast, Christians rest in the unchanging Word of God. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). He didn’t point to ten different sources of truth, nor did He leave His church to guess at what God’s will might be. Instead, He declared, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
The LDS reliance on multiple and shifting authorities leads to contradictions, confusion, and doctrinal instability. The Bible warns against this very problem: “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6). The Word of God is complete and sufficient, needing no supplementation by prophets, councils, or additional scriptures.
Therefore, when witnessing to Mormons, it is important to point them back to the one true and unchanging source of authority — God’s Word, the Bible. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8).
