Polygamists try to avoid sale of farm

ST. GEORGE , Utah, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Members of the largest polygamous sect have asked a federal judge in Utah to protect a farm in the church's trust from sale.

About 300 members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints attended a hearing Wednesday, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. U.S. District Judge Dee Benson scheduled another hearing for Friday.

The United Effort Plan owns most of the land in the twin communities of Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah, the sect's stronghold. The Berry Knoll Farm is just south of the state line near the towns.

Bruce Wisan, the court-appointed fiduciary of the trust, wants to sell the farm because the trust has no money to pay him or his lawyers. The Utah attorney general asked for an outside appointment when the trust did not defend itself against two lawsuits and also argues that past trustees have mismanaged the trust.

Members of the sect say that the 700 acres in the Berry Hill Farm are holy ground. They accuse the state of violating their religious rights.