Is there anything to back it up in terms of a situation in the book of the Mormons where a false seer was outmaneuvered by a true seer?
Not exactly in a one-to-one “false seer vs true seer” way. But there are several prophet vs challenger episodes. Sherem and Nehor are religious figures, not just skeptics. Sherem argues from scripture, and Nehor basically sets up an alternative religious system.
Yes: but, at the same time, you showed us those letters of people (slipping my mind who) some letters were being exchanged where these guys were speaking in biblical language or even from the Lord's perspective? It was pretty extreme. I was aware of the Late war and "Bible writing" in general, but refresh my memory on these letters you brought up.
anyway -- if people were doing that then it's not as extreme to put yourself into the Bible. To con people is significant ways at the same time may be another story.
“At Joseph’s request, Oliver wrote to ask his friend David Whitmer in Seneca County, New York, that they be allowed to come to the Whitmer farm, where they could renew their translation in safety.”
“A reconstruction of Oliver Cowdery’s letters to David Whitmer reflect the Alma–Amulek relationship in the Book of Mormon: a receptive outsider (Cowdery/Alma) joins a dissenting movement after rejecting a corrupt system, and his work depends on a local householder-witness (Whitmer/Amulek) whose home and loyalty legitimize the new record. Cowdery cites Whitmer as the protector of the translation, just as Alma depends on Amulek for support.”
