At this point in the text--Mormon 4:1, the Nephite-Lamanite wars have gone on now for approximately 42 years. It seems easier to visualize the battles happening within the limited confines of Mesoamerica rather than having whole populations of people traveling up and down all over North, Central, and South America. It is interesting to note that even after the Nephite-Lamanite Treaty has been agreed to, the Nephites still seem to have an affinity towards the Land Southward--Zarahemla (Mormon 2:29,3:5,4:1). It would be hard to imagine people in North America (what is now the United States) being motivated to retake lands reaching to the middle of South America. [See Appendix A - Chronology]