This dystopian drama tells of prosperous farmer Clay Sanderson, who marries wealthy and spoiled Diana Brockman. She had considered Evan Hunter, a handsome evangelist, but rejected him because he was poor. Diana's crusading sister, Jan, sees worth in Evan's work and joins him. The four intertwined lives are reaching for far different goals. When disaster strikes the farmlands, hunger follows, giving the state and church opportunity to seize control. Clay struggles to keep his land, and Diana decides she has made a bad bargain. Evan disappoints Jan by doubting his calling. Yet when their survival is uncertain, nothing else matters.