To be carried by the Spirit to the “high mountain” was an experience Nephi shared in common with many of the spiritual giants of ages past. “Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain, and he saw God face to face, and he talked with him” (Moses 1:1-2).
Ezekiel was carried from Babylon in vision to “the land of Israel” and there set “upon a very high mountain” to see a future temple (Ezekiel 40:2). “Jesus was in the Spirit, and it taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them” (JST, Matthew 4:8).
Others of the prophets speak of being carried by the Spirit in vision to the heavenly temple, of which the “high mountain” is but the symbol. Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1); Lehi (1 Nephi 1:8); and John the Revelator (Revelation 4:1-4) are examples.