In January, 1831, a conference was held in Fayette. Ordinary business was transacted and a revelation given in which the Lord made known the reason for the removal of the Church to the West (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 38). "All eternity is pained," the revelation read, "and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned." This was because "all flesh is corrupted" and the powers of darkness prevail. The Lord revealed that the wicked were plotting in secret chambers the destruction of Joseph Smith and the Church. However, he would lead the Saints, to a land of promise, and they and their children after them should possess it forever, if they would seek it with all their hearts as an inheritance. This reference was to Zion, the location of which the Lord had not yet revealed. They were commanded to assemble in Ohio, and there he would give unto them his law and these things should be made known. They were to dispose of their property as best they could; farms that could not be sold should be rented, and men of wisdom were to be appointed to look after the interests of the poor and needy and send them forth to the place the Lord commanded them. In the latter part of January, Joseph Smith and his wife, accompanied by Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, moved to Kirtland. They were welcomed there by Newel K. Whitney, and Joseph and his wife remained in the Whitney home for several weeks receiving every kindness and attention which could be shown in Christian love. The Branch in Kirtland The branch of the Church in Kirtland had been living according to a plan called "common stock" or the holding of all property in common. This arrangement had been in practice before they joined the Church, but false spirits crept in among them causing them to receive strange notions in variance with the Gospel plan. With a little caution and exercise of wisdom, the Prophet persuaded them to abandon this plan and their difficulties were removed. The Law Given to Govern the Church On the fourth of February, the Lord gave direction by revelation that the elders of the Church should assemble together to agree on his word; for he would give them his law by which the Church was to be governed. Instructions were also given that Joseph Smith should have a house built wherein he could live and translate, and receive the ancient scriptures from the Lord. Edward Partridge was to receive the office of bishop in the Church and to spend all his time in that ministry, leaving his merchandise, to labor in the interests of the members of the Church.