The father of the family, James, faces challenges beyond his expectations. The mother, Amanda, recognizes the good qualities of the believers but is constantly at odds with the idealism and inconsistencies in the Church, as she strives desperately to protect her children.

Their children also face many obstacles. Jeremy, the teenage son, seeks companionship and consolation outside the Church by befriending a bullmastiff dog, the prophet's son, a gunfighter, an Indian boy, and a Quaker girl. Clara feels the weight of the world on her shoulders while the younger Christine takes everything in stride.