UEP land applications available

Applications to own land in the Fundamentalist LDS Church enclaves of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., are in the process of being handed out.

"This will be stuffed in the boxes in the post offices of Colorado City and Hildale," said Jeffrey L. Shields, the attorney for court-appointed special fiduciary Bruce Wisan. "It's Bruce's Christmas present to the trust participants."

The petition for benefits is part of the recent reforms of the United Effort Plan Trust. In 2005, a judge in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court took control of the UEP Trust, which lawyers estimate controls about 95 percent of the land in Hildale and Colorado City.

The eight-page document that asks questions like, "Have you personally made any contributions to either the Trust or the FLDS Church?" and "Has there been any recommendation from a representative of the FLDS Church ... with respect to your petition?"

The petition includes a caveat that the UEP Trust has been separated from the FLDS Church and its leaders, and any grievances against the church or leadership should not be included. Wisan has posted the petition on a Web site, www.ueptrust.com.

Under the reformation plan signed by the judge, people on UEP land now have the ability to own their property.

Many people in the towns have grumbled about an idea being considered to pay fees to get title to the land. At a meeting last month in Hildale, many ex-members claimed they already paid for the land with their blood, sweat and tears to the FLDS Church.

Shields said any payments would differ from person to person based on their petition.

"This is a charitable trust and just needs and wants will be different from individual to individual," he said Wednesday.

Cooperation from FLDS faithful is not expected. Jailed polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs has reportedly issued an edict to his followers: "Do not sign your name to any document for property that has already been consecrated to God."

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com