Spalding's ms was a likely contributor to smith's imagination - as well as those other books you avoid answering about. BTW, there were two Spalding ms involved "Manuscript Story" and "Manuscript Found". In fact "Manuscript Story" was incorrectly published as "Manuscript Found". But just to keep the record straight why do people look to spalding as a reference.
- The discoverers of both books claim to have discovered the records by using a lever to remove a rock under which the records were deposited
- Both books depict the goings-on of ancient settlers to the New World
- While making their initial oceanic crossing, the settlers in both books are blown by a fierce storm which makes them fear capsizement
- The civilized segments of the societies in both books are given strict charges to avoid intermarriage with the less civilized segments
- Both books mention horses being in America
- Both books discuss the division of the people into two major civilizations
- Forts in both books are identical in their manner of consruction
- The narrators of both books suddenly and inexplicably go out of their way to explain that the earth revolves around the sun
- Both books describe a messiah-like figure who appears suddenly, teaches the people, and ushers in an era of great peace
- Both books describe the settlers as having all goods in common at one point
- Both books, respectively, show the two major civilizations entering into a war of mutual destruction
- Both books at one point describe the populace as making use of elephants, which in fact are not in existence in America
As stated, smith used many sources as was proven in previous posts by comparing one existing book to the identical descriptions and language in the bom.
Sadly, some diehard Joe Smith haters don't want to admit that some of their predecessors were liars. Some are still claiming that the Nephi and Lehi names were in another manuscript by another Spalding! This reminds me of Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive.
Interesting how you hold to a 'testimony' of people excommunicated - yet reject a priori OTHERS testimony. Two edged sword there John.
I notice that you do not give a source for these statements.