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I am not aware of the teachings of which you speak, but I am sure that Joseph surely must have been referring to the period of time in the latter years of the existence of the Nephites, as they retreated for many years and obviously fought some of the final battles near what we now know as the Great Lakes: “And it came to pass that we did march forth to the land of Cumorah, and we did pitch our tents around about the hill Cumorah; and it was in a land of many waters, rivers, and fountains; and here we had hope to gain advantage over the Lamanites.” (Book of Mormon | Mormon 6:4) Of course, this is where the Sacred Record engraved on the Plates of Gold, were hidden by Moroni abot 421 AD.
It is my understanding that much of the history of the Book of Mormon took place just north and South of where now the Panama Canal has been built. That there was a narrow neck of land which was described as a full days walk of a man is clear: “And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an exceedingly curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land Bountiful, by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the narrow neck which led into the land northward.” (Book of Mormon | Alma 63:5) “Even the Jaredites describe this in their writings: “And they built a great city by the narrow neck of land, by the place where the sea divides the land.” (Book of Mormon | Ether 10:20)
I am not even sure what you may be referring to when you say, “The geographic locations are very important in God's work…”. I do read the scriptures indicating that the word of the Lord shall hiss forth from Zion and the law from Jerusalem: “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Old Testament | Isaiah 2:3; see also Micah 4:2) Those two places have special destiny, but the Lord’s ministry is not limited to those places. I have based my limited understanding on the following passages and those like them. ”Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?” (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 29:7)
“For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.” (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 29:11 - 12)
“AND verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister. For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them. But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them.” (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 16:1 - 3)
I hope this answers your question.
Sincerely,
Donny Osmond
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