Dispute Over Polygamous Sect Property Trust Argued Before Utah Supreme Court

Utah's highest court weighed in on the long running dispute over a polygamous sect's property trust Wednesday with one central question: Why did sect members wait so long to challenge a judge's decision to remove the trust's religious foundation?

Members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints claim their Constitutional rights were violated when a judge reformed the United Effort Plan Trust, transforming it into a secular trust.

Rod Parker, an attorney representing the sect, said the sect initially viewed the trust takeover as a "religious test" but reached a point where they decided "the test was over and they needed to protect the trust."

Parker told the justices he believes there is no time limit for raising constitutional objections in a matter that is "wrapped up in religion." He asked the justices to stay all court proceedings, including sale of land considered sacred by the FLDS, while they consider the sect's petition.

Source/Full Story: KCSG-TV