Question: Are the major thematic elements of the Spalding manuscript similar to those in the Book of Mormon?

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Question: Are the major thematic elements of the Spalding manuscript similar to those in the Book of Mormon?

Only a few elements in the Spalding manuscript are similar to elements in the Book of Mormon

It is claimed that the major thematic elements between the extent Spalding manuscript (also known as the Obelin manuscript) and the Book of Mormon are same.

We examine claimed parallels between the Spalding manuscript and the Book of Mormon in the following sections.

Claim
Both works refer to an ancient record that was found under a stone which was removed by a lever.

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

Near the west bank of the Coneaught River there are the remains of an ancient fort. As I was walking and forming various conjectures respecting the character, situation, & numbers of those people who far exceeded the present Indians in works of art and ingenuity, I hapned to tread on a flat stone.....

With the assistance of a leaver I raised the stone....

I discovered that its ends and sides rested on stones & that it was designed as a cover to an artificial Cave. ....

I prepared myself with necessary requisites for that purpose and decended to the Bottom of the Cave. ....

Here I noticed a big flat stone fixed in the form of a doar. I immediately tore it down and Lo, a cavity within the wall presented itself it being about three feet in diamiter from side to side and about two feet high. Within this cavity I found an earthen Box with a cover which shut it perfectly tite. The Box was two feet in length one & half in breadth & one & three inches in diameter. ....

When I had removed the Cover I found that it contained twenty-eight rolls of parchment—&—that when - - - appeared to be manuscrips written in eligant hand with Roman letters & in the Latin Language.

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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Claim
Both works refer to seer stones.

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

Hamack then arose & in his hand he held a stone which he pronounced transparent. Thro' this he could view things present & things to come, could behold the dark intrigues & cabals of foreign courts, & behold discover hidden treasures, secluded from the eyes of other mortals. He could behold the galant & his mistress in their bed chamber, &count all their moles warts & pimples. Such was the clearness of his sight, when this transparent stone was placed before his eyes. He looked fiercely & steadfastly on the stone & raised his prophetic voice.

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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Claim
Both works are about an ancient white race

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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Claim
Both works refer to a group that traveled across the ocean in a boat

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

One day he says to me Fabius you must go to Britain & carry an important - - - - to the general of our army there - - - - sail in a vessel & return when she returns. Preparation was made instantly and we sailed - - - The vessel laden with provisions for the army - - - Cloath—knives and other impliments for their use had now arrived near the coasts of Britain when a tremendous storm arose & drove us into the midst of the boundless Ocean. Soon the whole crew became lost & bewildered. They knew not the direction to the rising Sun or polar Star, for the heavens were covered with clouds; & darkness had spread her sable mantle over the face of the raging deep.

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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Claim
Both works refer to ocean travelers running into a storm which subsided because of their prayers

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

Their minds were filled with consternation and despair. & unanimously agreed that What could we do? How be extricated from the insatiable jaws of a watery tomb? Then it was that we felt our absolute dependence on that Almighty & gracious Being who holds the winds & floods in - - - hands. From him alone could we expect deliverance. To him our most fervent desires assended. Prostrate & on bended nees we poured forth incessant Supplication & even Old Ocean appeared to sympathize in our distress by returning the echo of our vociferos cries & lamentations. After being driven five days with incridable velocity before the furious wind the storm abated in its violence. but still the wind blew strong in the strong as I now believe in the same direction. Doubtful whether the wind had not changed her point we gave the ship full sail & let her drive. On the sixth day after, the storm wholly subsided, the sun rose clear and the heavens once more appeared to smile.

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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Claim
Both works refer to groups that came to the americas and started 2 major civilizations

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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Claim
Both works refer to a great religious leader who came and taught them great wisdom

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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Claim
Both works describe the two civilizations fighting battles and wars until they were almost destroyed

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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Claim
It is claimed that both works contain similar grammatical mistakes and nomenclature.

Passage(s) from Spalding manuscript:

Comparison against The Book of Mormon:
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