So which is correct, the Jesus of the King James Bible that never visited North America or the Mormon Jesus who visited North America?
Can't be both.
why not? Because you've created a false dichotomy?
Jesus appeared to the scattered sheep of the house of Israel throughout the world. We only have the record of His preaching in two of the countless locations.
One would think Jesus might have said "hey Jews, this is important. Write this stuff down and make sure you don't wait 1800 years before you tell folks I was here. You know because of Salvation and whatnot"
He did tell them to write it down.and his it away until the dispensation of the fullness of time.
The scriptures are clear that the Lord will do a work in the latter days to gather Israel in preparation for His return. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is the opening of of that restoration. The Lord was preparing it for thousands of years.
Or do you think it's a coincidence that the Lord spent centuries drawing people out of Europe and establishing this nation as a nation where we have the freedom to worship as we choose? This was vital preparatory work before the restoration could begin and thrive.
Considering it took 1500 years for the bible to be put in the hands of the people, a few hundred more years is hardly a blink of an eye in God's point of view.