The presentation of his case by the brother of Jared begins with a rather typical Old Testament style recognition of the separation between God and man. The brother of Jared approaches God as a subject would a King, with great humility and deference. In the Old Testament, God is not conceptualized as Father, even though he is. The term Father is a more understandable relationship, and it is one that developed over time in Israel. The earliest comprehension of God was not in such a familiar and family-ar relationship.
The words of the brother of Jacob concerning the sixteen stones is interesting. He has created them, but has no specific language for them. He simply asks God to “behold these things which I have molten out of the rock.”
“The brother of Jared hardly knew what to call them. Rocks undoubtedly did not sound very inspiring. Here, standing next to the Lord’s magnificent handiwork, the impeccably designed and marvelously unique seagoing barges, the brother of Jared offered for his contribution rocks. As he eyed the sleek ships the Lord had provided, it was a moment of genuine humility.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997], 16 - 17.)