THOUGHTS: 'Most LDS literature on archaeology and The Book of Mormon ranges from factually and logically unreliable to kooky.' John Sorenson

Lydon Lamborn commented extensively on this problem in the article from which this quote was pulled. Personally, I find it hard to argue with his evidence or conclusions:

" 13. The Mayas of Central America were an amazing civilization, that has only been recently (last 30 years) well understood and documented. Experts have deciphered their 800 hieroglyphic signs, including an amazingly accurate calendar. Their language has no resemblance to Hebrew or Egyptian, and neither do the languages of the Incas, Aztecs, Toltecs, or other New World peoples. The Mayas used a base 20 mathematics system, and did their math vertically. Their calendar began in 3114 B.C. and their civilization did not crumble until about 900 A.D. In their peak, they numbered in the millions, with strongholds in the 'narrow neck of land' which responsible archaeologists suggest as the only (remotely) possible site for events in the BoM. How is it possible that the Nephites felt they came to an uninhabited continent and never met the Mayas? "Most L.D.S. literature on archaeology and The Book of Mormon ranges from factually and logically unreliable to kooky. In general, it appears that the worse the book, the more it sells." - John L. Sorenson, BYU professor and Mormon anthropologist.

14. Even without DNA test results, the evidence that the American Indians are not of Hebrew origin is overwhelming (language, skeletal structure, customs, stone-age technology). Every serious, unemotional, and unbiased investigator I know concludes that the origin of the American Indian is eastern Asia. The Church has taken the position that the actual origin of the American Indian does not invalidate "The Book of Mormon" or undermine the teachings of Joseph Smith. This position raises even more questions regarding prophesies and commandments in the D&C and teachings of virtually every prophet from Joseph Smith to Hinckley. Since they all taught that the principal ancestors of the American Indian is the Lamanite, and such is not the case, then we should follow the counsel of Duet 18:22 and disregard their warnings? When church members refer to Native Americans as Lamanites, this is commensurate to calling a black man a "nigger", and is of great offense to informed Native Americans. How should I use my influence to lovingly but assertively bring this bad habit to an end among church members?

15. Apologists have set forth a limited geography theory with DNA being swallowed up by the other indigenous tribes. These theories fall apart when you read, 2 Nephi 1:8 which explains that Lehi told his children that God had kept and preserved the land from "other nations" so the land would not be overrun, leaving them with no place for an "inheritance." Since this theory contradicts doctrine, it must be discarded."
http://www.mormonthink.com/lamborn.htm