Russ, Tried to email you privately, but you're over your limit. I found this organization thanks to this forum : ) and got a newsletter which mentions the geographical issues you've brought up vaguely. Not sure what that was about - but you may want to check out the website. Apparently, the church makes NO official claims as to exactly where the Book of Mormon events took place. (Other than on the American continent).

http://www.fairlds.org/Book_of_Mormon/MisguidedS.html