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Appeal and New Suit Continue Challenge To Sale of FLDS Property

By Howard M. Friedman

Members of the FLDS Church are attempting in both state and federal court to prevent the sale of Berry Knoll, a large tract of farm land owned by the Church's United Effort Plan Trust. The land was supposed to be a future site of an FLDS temple. The sale is being proposed by the special fiduciary appointed by a Utah state court. (See prior posting 1, 2.) Yesterday's Deseret News reports that the members have filed an emergency appeal with the Utah Supreme Court to block the sale. Church representatives argue that the lower court proceedings that were supposed to ensure that the UEP Trust was properly administered have "now become a vehicle ... to ensure that the trust is administered to destroy and thwart the religious doctrines and goals of the FLDS Church." Also, according to the paper, a lawsuit had now been filed against the fiduciary, Bruce Wisan, in Arizona by FLDS member Willie Jessop.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on November 11, 2008 (boomark / email).