The Spalding Manuscript Controversy

The Spalding Manuscript was a significant topic of debate regarding the origins of the Book of Mormon. Critics, particularly Philastris Hurlbut, alleged that Joseph Smith plagiarized this unpublished work, despite the fact that it was never made public and thus couldn’t be properly analyzed. The substance of the Spalding Manuscript, which contained a fictional narrative set in the Roman Empire, was far removed from the time frame and content of the Book of Mormon, demonstrating that claims of similarity were unfounded. Historical context emphasizes that the rumor was part of broader adversarial tactics aimed at undermining the credibility of the new text, rather than a legitimate concern based on substantive evidence.