Earlier, Nephi had remarked that he, Jacob and Isaiah had all seen their redeemer (2 Nephi 11:2-3). Here we see that Isaiah was given the privilege of seeing the throne of God. This is a helpful scripture if one is faced with the common Christian doctrine that man cannot see the face of God. This is based on erroneous interpretations of the passage in John, 'No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him' (Jn 1:18). The Joseph Smith translation makes a condition on this all exclusive statement, adding, 'except he hath borne record of the Son.' Later in John's record we get another, less exclusive statement, 'Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father' (Jn 6:46).
In the Old Testament, there is ample evidence that the righteous saw God. Seventy of the elders of Israel were privileged to see God, 'And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness' (Ex 24:10). Moses spoke with the Lord, 'face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend' (Ex 33:11). In this instance, it is apparent that Isaiah also was given the same privilege, 'for mine eyes have seen the King' (v. 5). Modern scripture helps us understand that this is only possible if one has become sufficiently purified and has exhibited sufficient faith. See DC 88:68, DC 93:1, and DC 97:16.