The Myth of the "Manuscript Found," or the Absurdities of the "Spaulding Story": Eleventh Book of the Faith-promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints

In Short

This work is a nineteenth-century polemical treatise designed to instruct and encourage young Latter-day Saints by debunking the "Spaulding story"—the persistent theory that the Book of Mormon was derived from an unpublished manuscript by Solomon Spaulding. The book examines the historical accounts of how the Book of Mormon was produced, highlights the contradictions in the claims made by critics, and presents testimonials from witnesses of the plates. It serves as both a historical defense of Joseph Smith’s account and an expression of the faith’s core theological convictions.

The Story

The narrative begins with a clear objective: to protect the faith of young Latter-day Saints by addressing the most popular counter-narrative of the era. The author introduces the "Spaulding story," which alleges that an early American writer named Solomon Spaulding penned a fictional history of ancient inhabitants of the continent, and that this manuscript somehow fell into the hands of Joseph Smith or Sidney Rigdon to be repurposed as scripture. The book frames this theory as a "myth" invented by those who wished to discredit the movement.

The historical arc centers on D. P. Hurlburt, a figure described as a disillusioned former member of the Church who sought revenge by attempting to prove the plagiarism theory. The author details Hurlburt’s efforts to collect statements in Pennsylvania and his public proclamations that he had discovered the "secret" source of the Book of Mormon. The text argues that Hurlburt’s own actions—specifically his failure to publish the manuscript he claimed to possess—reveal his insincerity. Through a series of investigative chapters, the book presents evidence that the Spaulding manuscript was never the source of the Book of Mormon, citing the testimony of those who knew Spaulding and observed his work, and pointing out the lack of any real resemblance between his fictional romance and the content of the Mormon record.

As the argument progresses, the focus shifts to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The book provides his personal account of finding the plates, the process of translation, and his interactions with skeptics like Professor Anthon. It addresses common character attacks against Smith, framing him as a young man of integrity rather than a "money-digger" or a fraud. The author also incorporates the testimonies of the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses, emphasizing their unwavering stance even during periods when some were estranged from the Church.

The ending serves as a synthesis of the defense. The author concludes that the critics are "at variance with each other" and that their conjectures are "unstable as water." By contrasting the internal consistency of the Book of Mormon with the shifting, contradictory reports of those who promoted the Spaulding theory, the book seeks to leave the reader with the firm conviction that the Book of Mormon is a divine record. It closes by reiterating that the true test of the book’s origin lies not in the "conglomeration of conjectures" offered by its enemies, but in the spiritual and historical evidence provided by those who witnessed its emergence.

How It Unfolds

Defining the myth The author introduces the "Spaulding story" as the last refuge for those seeking to disprove the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. By labeling it an "absurdity," the book prepares the reader to view all subsequent accusations as fundamentally flawed.

Hurlburt’s crusade The narrative recounts the activities of D. P. Hurlburt, tracing his transition from a disgruntled former member to an anti-Mormon lecturer. The author argues that Hurlburt’s motivation was not truth but vengeance, and that his failure to produce the manuscript he claimed to have is the ultimate proof of his dishonesty.

Detecting the device The book examines the "bogus affidavit" published by a minister named Storrs, which purported to be from Solomon Spaulding's widow. The text presents evidence that she did not sign or write the letter, effectively highlighting the deceptive methods used by opponents of the Church.

Contrasting the histories The author systematically compares the plot of the "Manuscript Found" with the contents of the Book of Mormon. By showing that the two narratives—specifically regarding the origins and journeys of their respective peoples—are entirely different, the author argues that plagiarism would have been impossible.

The witness testimony The final chapters focus on the credibility of those who saw the plates. By including the accounts of the Three and Eight Witnesses, as well as the later reflections of men like Martin Harris, the book reinforces the idea that the physical reality of the records is supported by unimpeachable human testimony.

The People

Joseph Smith is the central figure, portrayed as a humble, diligent young man who underwent a profound spiritual transformation. Despite being accused of laziness or fraud, his character is defended through the recollections of his family and friends, who describe him as an honest person of integrity. He stands in the way of those who wish to label the Church a forgery.

D. P. Hurlburt serves as the primary antagonist. Initially a member of the Church, his expulsion for misconduct leads him to seek revenge. He wants to destroy the reputation of the Church by fabricating a credible, non-divine explanation for its origins. His efforts are portrayed as ultimately failing because they are built on lies and logical inconsistencies.

Solomon Spaulding is the unwitting subject of the controversy. Described as a writer of a fictional romance, he becomes a tool in the hands of others long after his death. His own family’s testimonies, as cited in the book, indicate that his work bore no real relation to the Book of Mormon, placing him as a historical figure whose name was misused by critics.

Martin Harris is a key witness who provides depth to the historical account. His journey from an early witness who handled the plates to a man who suffered through years of estrangement, only to return to the faith in his old age, serves as a powerful testament to the sincerity of his initial conviction.

In Its Own Voice

Regarding the nature of the anti-Mormon literature of the time, the author observes:

"The so-called 'Spaulding story' has been for many years past the last refuge of those who have undertaken to prove that the Book of Mormon is not what it claims to be."

When examining the historical narrative of the Book of Mormon, the author asserts the internal integrity of the record:

"For more than fifty years, the bigoted and skeptical have been endeavoring to find errors, inconsistencies or impossibilities within its contents; but in this they have utterly failed."

Reflecting on the motivations of those who perpetuated the Spaulding theory, the book concludes:

"The Spaulding story never was dreamed of until several years afterwards, when it appeared in 'Mormonism Unveiled'--a base forgery, by D. P. Hurlburt and others of similar character."

What It's Really About

The book is fundamentally an argument for the divine authority of the Book of Mormon by refuting the claims of its secular detractors. It posits that the truth of the LDS gospel depends on the authenticity of its foundational record, and therefore, any attempt to explain that record through human invention or plagiarism must be exposed as intellectually dishonest. The underlying question is whether the Book of Mormon is a product of human artifice or a revelation from God. By focusing on the historical instability of the Spaulding theory, the author attempts to demonstrate that the logic of the critics is "as unstable as water," ultimately aiming to solidify the faith of young readers against external challenges.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of religious polemics or the development of early American apologetics will find this a fascinating, if focused, artifact. It offers a clear look at how 19th-century religious defenders constructed their arguments and engaged with the secular criticisms of their time. The writing is direct and earnest, reflecting the urgency of a community feeling besieged by hostile reports.

However, a modern reader should be prepared for the book's intense, combative tone and its clear partisan bias. It is not a neutral historical study; it is an instructional manual for the faithful. The language is at times repetitive, reflecting its origins as a series of articles or pamphlets, and it relies heavily on the period’s evidentiary standards, including long affidavits and witness testimonies that assume the reader already shares the author's religious worldview. Those looking for a balanced academic history will be disappointed, but those curious about the internal intellectual life of the 19th-century Latter-day Saint movement will find this a vital window into how the early Church defined itself against its detractors. It is a work of conviction, capturing a specific moment in the history of American religious identity.