This is one of the many important revelations (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 27) given to the Church. The knowledge that it matters not what we eat or drink, if we partake of the sacrament in the Spirit of the Lord and by divine authority, is the foundation for the present practice in the Church of using water instead of wine, for so the Lord has commanded.
In September the Lord added to this revelation stating that the time would come when he would “drink of the fruit of the vine” on the earth with the ancient prophets and apostles, from Michael, or Adam, the “ancient of days,” down to our own day, including all the faithful whom the Father has given him out of the world.
In obedience to the above commandment, they prepared wine of their own making and partook of the sacrament, confirming the two sisters as members of the Church.
Joseph Moves to Fayette
The spirit of persecution became so strong in Harmony, that Joseph Smith was forced to leave and take up his residence in Fayette. Even his father-in-law, Isaac Hale, turned against him because of the falsehoods which were circulated and the prejudice existing in the neighborhood. This bitterness he retained throughout his life. In August, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, with John and David Whitmer, went to Colesville and visited the members of the Church residing there. They prayed that the eyes of their enemies might be blinded, for the enmity in Colesville was extreme. Their prayers were answered, and though they passed by a number of the most bitter of the mobocrats, who looked intently upon them, yet they were not recognized. In the evening of the day of their arrival— a meeting was held and those who had been previously baptized were all confirmed. They partook of the sacrament, sang and praised the Lord in testimony without molestation. The next morning the brethren took leave of the Saints in peace and in due time arrived home in safety.
Spurious Revelations of Hiram Page
Shortly after Joseph Smith made his home in Fayette, Satan commenced a subtle attack upon the work within the Church. Hiram Page, one of the eight witnesses, obtained a stone with which he was receiving revelations purporting to be for the guidance of the Church; but these revelations were at variance with those given to Joseph Smith, and also with the teachings of the Savior and his apostles, as contained in the New Testament. Oliver Cowdery and members of the Whitmer family were deceived. Through the Prophet the Lord gave a revelation to Oliver Cowdery in which the order of heaven, in regard to revelation, was pointed out for the guidance of the Church. “Behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee,” said the Lord, “no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this Church, excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses; and thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority in the Church.” It was further stated that there should be none other appointed to receive revelations, until the Lord should appoint another in his stead, for he held the keys of this power. Oliver was instructed to take Hiram Page, alone, and tell him that the revelations he had received were not from the Lord, but were given through the power of Satan, who had deceived him. Oliver was also instructed that he was to write by wisdom, but he was not to command him who was at the head.
The Mission to the Lamanites
The Lord, in this revelation, appointed Oliver Cowdery to take a mission to the Lamanites in the west, “and inasmuch as they receive thy teachings,” it read, “thou shalt cause my Church to be established among them.” There were other reasons for this mission, which were not fully revealed. It is probable that in the spurious revelations of Hiram Page some reference was made to the building of the city Zion. In any case, the Lord explained that it was not revealed, and no man knew, where the city Zion shall be built, “but it shall be given hereafter. Behold, I say unto you, that it shall be on the borders of the Lamanites.” This mission was not to be taken until after the conference which had been appointed for the 26th of September. Oliver was also first to settle the difficulty with Hiram Page, who was to be taught that he had not been appointed to receive revelations for the Church.