Mormon pioneers left their homelands with the all-encompassing purpose of gathering to Utah, where they sought to help build Zion, a community organized and based on religious ideals. Most traveled to Utah by wagon, though for a short time some used handcarts because they were more cost-effective than wagons and did not require money-poor pioneers to purchase oxen or horses. The first wagon train arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1847. Thousands followed, and by 1848, between 60,000 and 70,000 Mormon pioneers had immigrated to the West. Many began their journey in Europe, crossing the ocean by ship, riding the rails to the end of the line, and then trekking across the plains. After reaching Salt Lake City, settlements in Central Utah, beginning with Mount Pleasant, Spring City, Ephraim, and Wales, served as places of safety where pioneers could freely practice their religion. Later, Fairview, Fountain Green, Moroni, Gunnison, Chester, and Centerfield were also settled. Families arriving in the Salt Lake Valley were redirected to outward settlements such as Manti, and settlers faced the difficulty of leaving behind the comforts of established cities to live in unknown conditions.