A First for Polygamous Trust

The Associated Press KTAR News 92.3 - Phoenix

The sale of a house in Hildale, Utah, marks a notable turn of events -- it's the first privatized property from a communal trust established to protect the interests of a polygamous sect. The United Effort Plan Trust sold the six-bedroom, four-bath home for $115,000 in September to Crystal and Roger Wyler. Wyler is a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. "In real America, homes are sold," said Bruce R. Wisan, a court-appointed accountant who oversees the trust. That's never been true in Hildale or its sister community, Colorado City, Ariz., where most members of the church have made their home since the early 20th century. Formed in the 1940s, the trust was the charitable arm of the church and members donated property, money and labor to ensure the well-being of all. Residents lived as tenants at will and were subject to the whims of church leaders who controlled trust holdings. In 2005, a Utah judge seized the trust after allegations of mismanagement. Since then, Wisan has been moving toward privatization. Town surveys were done to subdivide the cities, and trust lawyers are working with those beneficiaries - most are former church members - who want to secure property deeds, transfer property out of the trust or set up alternate property trusts. About 42 homes are ready for title transfers, Wisan said. He's also offering abandoned homes and vacant lots for sale. Census figures place the population of the twin towns at about 6,000. Most are faithful FLDS members, who don't interact with Wisan and have shown no interest in his drive toward individual homeownership. Wisan, for example, needs approval of 36 property plats in both towns. He's got an initial approval from Colorado City, but the council there is requiring an OK from 22 city departments before a final approval. A subdivision ordinance passed by Colorado City earlier this year includes burdensome and unreasonable requirements, Wisan said. Hildale's City Council has presented similar challenges and nearly all of Wisan's privatization plans can move forward without approval from the two cities. "We're going to try to work things out," Wisan said. "I sometimes am skeptical, but certainly want to give the thing a try."

KTAR.com Originally broadcast October 22, 2007

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