The three were caught up into heaven (that is, the three and not the nine, see verse 36) and saw, and heard unspeakable things. We wonder if perhaps they saw something akin to what Paul beheld: “I knew a man in Christ [he is speaking modestly of himself] 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 [again, speaking of himself], (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 Corinthians 12:4).
Elder Franklin D. Richards offered the following fascinating observation regarding this experience of the Three Nephites: “They wanted to tarry until Jesus came, and that He might 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.(JD 25:236-37.)”