John continued to publish the Times and Seasons newspaper and equip his family for the trek west.


It was February of 1846, and John and his family were ready to leave. All the arrangements had been made – food gathered, wagons outfitted. John and his family drove down Parley Street for the last time. Leaving behind their beloved City of Nauvoo, they headed toward the Mississippi and a new life in the west. John glanced back with a heavy heart. He had walked away from a two-story brick house, with a store next to it. On the other side of his house was a new printing office he had helped build. Together the lot and buildings were worth about $10,000. He also left a 106 acre farm on the outskirts of town, along with another city lot. For the sake of the gospel, he could start again.

It was sad to leave all he had built. He left his whole life for the gospel's sake.