RayneBeau said:
HEY! Roman Catholics! Suppose your authoritarian "Vicar of Jesus Christ," Pope Francis, stood before an audience of millions and proclaimed: "The Book of Mormon is the Word of God!" Then Pope Francis proceeded to explain that such claims are made by Mormon missionaries every single day. And when the Mormon missionaries are asked why they believe this, you'll hear something about how "the Prophet says so."
But this mere assertion does not make the "Book of Mormon" the "Word of God." Nor can the Roman Catholic pope say that "The Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament is correct because Rome says so." Yet, given the claims of 'ultimate authority' made by ROME, how can it be otherwise? Ultimate authorities, such as the Roman Catholic Pope claims to be, cannot be examined by a higher standard because by definition none could possibly exist. Therefore, once one accepts the claims of ROME regarding authority, everything else falls into place, and all testing of those claims must be suspended. ROME may condescend to offer a proof here or a supporting text there but in reality, how can ROME offer any kind of evidence when she says that in the final analysis only she can properly interpret that evidence? If you find the offered evidence unconvincing, you are told it is only because YOU do not submit to her authority. When you ask why you should submit to her authority, ROME offers you the same evidence once again. It is a hideous vicious circle that traps many an unwary person.