On Wednesday, they sought to block the sale of a 773-acre farm on the Utah-Arizona border. Wisan wants to sell the Berry Knoll Farm to a home developer, giving the debt-plagued trust a quick infusion of cash. Jim Bradshaw, an attorney representing several FLDS members, revealed the farm was designated as a temple site.

"It's a war he intends to fund by going after the heart of their community," he said.

The fiduciary didn't start the war, Shields countered, accusing FLDS leadership of sabotaging reform efforts by resisting paying taxes, refusing to sign occupancy agreements and threatening anyone interested in buying property in the communities.

Lindberg wanted to know why the FLDS wouldn't participate in court proceedings for years, despite her repeated pleas. It was a question lawyers for the FLDS could not exactly answer.

"This is a little bit too little, too late," she said.

Lindberg said she still had confidence in Wisan but set a Nov. 14 hearing in St. George on the sale of the farmland to hear input from community members. Jessop stood and suggested she should book something bigger than the courthouse.

"I don't think a building's large enough to house the thousands of people it will impact," he said.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com