I don’t think there is any doubt attempting to prove the historicity of the BOM is much tougher than doing the same with the Bible.
The Bible is conceded even by its critics to be an ancient book written by men who lived during or not long after the events they relate.
The BOM is taken by all but devout Mormons to be a work of fiction written by a not particularly well-educated young American man in the early 19th century. As a work of fiction it is quite remarkable. As a work of history it is ludicrous.
I once tried to read the BOM. Could not believe how boring it was, compared to the Bible, which admittedly also has unbelievably boring sections. Even as a literary work it is much inferior.
Fair enough.
The staunch ones seem: 1) to regard it as authoritative against the teaching and doctrine pf ALL Christian denominations, 2) to be emboldened by it to the extent that they are the proclaim themselves the only true Christians on earth (by way of the Smithian restoration), and 3) then to want to be recognized as Christian brothers by all those who have been judged heathen by their fictionalized polytheistic heresy.
The Book of Mormon is undoubtedly a bad piece of fantasy fiction — not as bad as Dan Brown’s, but not as popular either. Well, you can make anyone believe anything — even fake histories like Lamanites. Why do sane, intelligent people follow this?