Well I think I've found the problem. Check out the attached images of the motherboard, and especially the first one where I've marked what I think the problem is. Looks like some of the components on the motherboard are fried:
[image|734529]
[image|734528]
[image|734530]
I didn't see any other obvious areas of damage on the motherboard, but I'm guessing that the whole thing will need to be replaced anyway.
So I think my next move is to order the Samsung S3 Verizon motherboard and install it by reversing the disasembly steps that I took to remove the damaged motherboard. Simple as that, or is there more to it?
Also, dumb question: what about the Android OS? Is it stored somewhere on the damaged motherboard that is going away, or elsewhere on the device? If somewhere else, I would think that there is no problem with swapping out the motherboard. But if it is on the motherboard, I have other questions (such as will it be present on the replacement motherboard, and if so, what version, and so on).