Mormonism VS. Catholicism, Which is the true church

My opponent is basing almost the entirety of his argument off of pretty much one verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:3.I feel like using the Douay-Rheims version, so I'll requote the verse for no reason."(3) Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition," - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 My opponent misinterprets this verse badly by adding his own personal views to it, which I myself am about to do as well. For starters, it never says every single person will be lost, just that there will be a revolt (or falling away). It never says the revolt will be universal, and as long as the revolt isn't universal, the Church will persist. It also fails to say that the Church would be restored, because it never says that the Church will be lost.Compare with this:"And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:18My opponent's claims would make Jesus a liar, as he says that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against his Church. If the entire Church was wrecked to the degree that it would have to be reformed, the gates of Hell certainly prevailed."But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." - 1 Timothy 3:15The Church is the pillar and ground of the truth. It does not seem likely that a pillar Jesus promised would not be destroyed would collapse."But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you." - John 16:13In my opponent's view, either the Holy Spirit never came (in which case the Bible is completely wrong), or it came and bungled the job so badly that the Church collapsed anyway. If the Holy Spirit was present, it seems unlikely that it would teach all truth by letting every last person apostatize. Very counterproductive."To him be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus unto all generations, world without end. Amen." - Ephesians 3:21The LDS Church has not existed for all generations.My opponent's theory, in a nutshell, was that Christ promised the Church would not be overcome, the Church was quickly overcome anyway, and Christ was like "Oh, no biggie. I'll get around to fixing it soon. And by soon, I mean in 1800 years."Having disproven the possibility of total apostasy, it is trivial to demonstrate that the Catholic Church is preferrable. The Catholic Church is one of only two bodies with claim to valid Apostolic succession, and the Catholic Church can trace itself back to St. Peter, who was himself appointed by Christ.Here is a list [1], going all the way back to Peter.Pro writes "I will be able to follow my priesthood line of succession through Jesus Christ himself.", however he fails to show how this is the case in any way. Catholic priests can trace their succession through 2000 years back to Jesus; my opponent cannot say the same.Additionally, the LDS Church uses the 'Book of Mormon', in defiance of the Bible."But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema." - Galatians 1:8Since I have some free space, I might as well address my opponent's opening statement.I find it humorous that my opponent writes "I disagree with this because the idea that a random Italian group can say that this one man can speak to god is outrageous.", because he's more aptly describing the LDS Church than the Catholic Church. The Pope doesn't have God's phone number, and is only protected from teaching doctrinal error, nothing more. On the other hand, the LDS Church believes it has a prophet [2]. Also, compare the LDS twelve apotles [3] to a sample of the Cardinals of the Catholic Church [4].Note that the prophet is in defiance of 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, which says that prophecy will be done away with."(9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away."Pro writes "In history do they ever talk about who founded the Catholic Church, it just sort of showed up."Yeah, after Christ died. No one talks about who founded it because it was founded by Jesus. On the other hand, it's quite clear who founded Mormonism, and he wasn't Jesus.In conclusion, Catholicism is more likely to be true than Mormonism.Sources;1. http://www.newadvent.org...;2. http://www.lds.org...3. http://www.lds.org...;4. http://www.kinsmanredeemer.com...