According to AP, today in Salt Lake City, Utah, two days of meetings begin between all the parties to try to reach an agreement on how to finally deal with FLDS Church property owned by the United Effort Plan Trust. In 2005, Utah appointed a special trustee to modify the trust and provide for secular management of the property owned by the polygamous FLDS sect. The trustee, Bruce Wisan, has been moving toward eventually conveying the land to FLDS members (and former members) in private ownership. FLDS members, however, say that their religious beliefs call for sharing of the land by those who adhere to Church teachings. The Utah Attorney General's office has drafted an initial proposal that it has shown to Wisan and to the Colorado attorney general's office, but not to the FLDS negotiators. (See prior related posting.)
UPDATE: The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Thursday that there are some signs of compromise in the negotiations. The major issues are how to allow FLDS members and those who left or never belonged to FLDS to live together. There are also questions of how to manage common areas such as a park, cemetery and health clinic, and how to pay the UEP trust's debts. One proposal under discussion is a 5-person board made up of 2 FLDS members, 2 non-members and a neutral to deal with housing claims.
