Original sentence: However, it is known that Ethan Smith had visited Palmyra in support of his book, so the idea of Joseph Smith being exposed to View of the Hebrews is plausible.Some difficulty is seen with this hypothesis given Joseph Smith's lack of formal education
Edited sentence: Around the time that Rigdon is thought to have come into possession of Spaulding's work and was associated with Joseph Smith is when Smith began 'leaking' tales of the Book of Mormon.It is also known that Ethan Smith had visited Palmyra in support of his book, so the idea of Joseph Smith being exposed to View of the Hebrews is certainly plausible if not likely.This idea gains credence from the fact the Oliver Cowdery was from the same town as Ethan Smith and Mr Cowdrey's family were members of his congregation