I'm not sure how apologists are still sticking to this "Nephites hid out undetected among the Maya and other pre-existing civilizations" stuff. We already have on record, Jeffrey Holland, and apostle of the Lord, quite recently pronouncing from the pulpit official church doctrine which leaves such apologetic theories completely untenable for the faithful:
Holy scripture records that “after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof.” (Ether 13:2.) Such a special place needed now to be kept apart from other regions, free from the indiscriminate traveler as well as the soldier of fortune.
To guarantee such sanctity the very surface of the earth was rent. In response to God’s decree, the great continents separated and the ocean rushed in to surround them.
The promised place was set apart. Without habitation it waited for the fulfillment of God’s special purposes.
Gardner is in opposition to the official doctrine of the church here.
Parley P. Pratt wrote:We must lie to support brother Joseph, it is our duty to do so.