Why do we use water instead of wine for the sacrament?

The sacrament gives us the sacred opportunity to remember Jesus Christ and to renew our baptismal covenants. Although the Savior gave His disciples wine when He first introduced this ordinance (see Matthew 26:23–24), the Prophet Joseph Smith received the following revelation in August 1830:

“It mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory” (D&C 27:2–3).

Today, of course, we also follow the Word of Wisdom. And since “it mattereth not” what we drink for the sacrament, Church leaders have asked us to use water, which is inexpensive and universally available.

No matter what is used for the sacrament, we should focus our thoughts on the Savior and our commitment to follow Him.