Arrogance led to beliefs and statements that the people of The Book of Mormon populated all of the Americas. Now, with no DNA evidence to substantiate those claims, and no archaeological evidence, Book of Mormon scholars are liking theories that limit the geography to a smaller area - that of Mesoamerica.

As stated on our "The Geography of" page, The Book of Mormon does not support a geographic model located in Mesoamerrica. To substantiate our claim that everything occurred near the Hill Cumorah in Western New York, in a relatively small area (Erie to Rochester), we will show that the book says their people were more of a subset than anything else. And when they referred to a sudden or large population growth, they were calculating their integration with the locals - the American Indians - just as the French and Colonists did during their wars.

After a mere 55 years after landing near Erie, PA, a man by the name of Sherem came in among the people:

And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem. (Jacob 7:1.)

Jacob says he was knowledgeable and knew their language and tried to persuade their beliefs:

And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. (Jacob 7:4.)

After Jacob confounded this man and his teachings, Sherem confessed the error of his ways to "a multitude." Where did this multitude come from? Lehi's family did not produce them after a mere 55 years. Those people were already present.

And it came to pass that on the morrow the multitude were gathered together; and he spake plainly unto them and denied the things which he had taught them, and confessed the Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels. (Jacob 7:17.)

It was also during this time that Jacob spoke out against polygamy. How could that come about unless there were more women? No doubt the locals were fascinated by these white men, and would have been easy to take advantage of:

24 Behold David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines which thing was abominable before me saith the Lord
26 Wherefore I the Lord God will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old (Jacob 2:24,26)

Obviously there was a greater indiigenous population compared to the Nephite population. This is what Jarom said:

6 And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land and the Lamanites also and they were exceeding more numerous than were they of the Nephites. (Jarom 1: 6)

In fact, later when the Nephites moved to the city of Zarahemla and joined with their numbers, together, they were not half as numerous as the locals:

3 And there were not so many of the people of Nephi and of the people of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they were not half so numerous. (Mosiah 25) 

Jacob also said that wars had already occurred, and that they had armies their numbers were so great.

And it came to pass that many means were devised to reclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; but it all was vain, for they delighted in wars and bloodshed, and they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren. And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually.
Wherefore, the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies. (Jacob 7:24-25.)