The Book of Mormon uses the term "altar of stones" to refer to the sacrificial altar prepared by Lehi rather than the term "stone altar." There could be considerable difference between the two. An altar of stones could consist of a pile of uncut, separate, individual stones, whereas a stone altar could denote the use of cut rock, mortar, etc. In this connection it is of interest to note that in Exodus 20:25 the Lord said to Moses: "And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it."