Judge to consider purchase of UEP land in southern Utah
 
By Nancy Perkins
Deseret Morning News
 
ST. GEORGE — A $2 million offer to purchase 436 acres of land in southern Utah could benefit the United Effort Plan Trust and its beneficiaries, said Bruce Wisan, the court-appointed special fiduciary in charge of the UEP until new trustees are appointed.

Third District Court Judge Denise Lindberg is scheduled to hear motions filed by lawyers on both sides of the contentious issue this morning.

Several people who are either suing the UEP or vying to be one of the new trustees oppose the sale. Each of them is asking Wisan to accept a different, higher offer for the property, which he has declined to do for various reasons.

If the judge approves Wisan's motion to move forward with the sale, all other property involved in the dispute, about 715 acres, will receive a clear title and revert to UEP ownership.

The UEP trust is the financial arm of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a polygamous religious sect with thousands of followers throughout the West, Canada and Mexico.

Most of the properties — homes, schools and businesses in Hildale, Washington County, and Colorado City, Ariz. — are owned by the UEP. Faithful FLDS members are assigned to homes or land and are considered to be tenants at will by the FLDS leadership, which requires strict obedience to church leader Warren Jeffs.

E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com
 
deseretnews.com
Originally published September 20, 2005
 
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