Upon reading some of the 2,001+ Easy Reasons to Dismiss Mormonism, critics have accused me of nit-picking the church, while at the same moment avoiding any discussion about the validity of the claims. My initial response is always “thank you,” while in my mind, I am deeply saddened by the paradox.

Though every religious person is convinced the course they are traveling is aligned with God, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes it one step further. Not only is their individual path correct, but all other courses are “an abomination” (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith—History 1:19). Indeed, the term “God’s one and only true church” is a common reply to questions. It would be a grave injustice for any sincere seeker of truth to avoid holding everything about a religion to intense scrutiny; particularly one claiming to be the sole harbinger of truth. No, it would be a sin not to. Minutiae should pass litmus tests in the same manner as grand doctrinal issues. After all, our lives are a series of small matters that must function as a whole, to understand our own personal quests.

Religion must be scrutinized, not only because of its claims, but because of the potential it has to change the course of our lives.