Mormon later clarifies that only the three Nephites who were caught up on this particular occasion (see v. 36). Their experience was almost identical to that of the Apostle Paul, who wrote of himself saying:
'I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter' (2 Cor 12:2-4).
Well, what are these unspeakable things? Can we ever know what was so sacred that it was not lawful for man to utter? We receive a clue from an experience of the prophet, Joseph, who stated that the "occasion was the administration of the ordinances of the endowment" (Heading, DC 137).
They then had an experience like that of Paul and the three Nephites. In this account, the Prophet described the appearance of 'the third heaven,' saying:
'The heavens were opened upon us, and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell.
I saw the transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire;
Also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son. I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold.
I saw Father Adam and Abraham' (DC 137:1-5).
Certainly, the three Nephites were privileged to see the same.
Franklin D. Richards
"They wanted to tarry until Jesus came, and that they might, He took them into the heavens and endowed them with the power of translation, probably in one of Enoch's temples, and brought them back to the earth. Thus they received power to live until the coming of the Son of Man. I believe He took them to Enoch's city and gave them their endowments there. I expect that in the city of Enoch there are temples; and when Enoch and his people come back, they will come back with their city, their temples, blessings and powers." (Journal of Discourses, 25:236-37.)