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John Hollenhorst ReportingDon Timpson, Colorado City Resident: "I live under this constant threat that if I don't give my allegiance to a certain religious belief or a certain religious leader, I can be kicked out of my home. That makes it very difficult for me."
For years, polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has maintained control by using land and homes as a weapon. Today, moves are afoot to disarm Jeffs, by dividing up his fallen empire.
A judge today indicated approval for a plan that allows people to actually own their homes in the towns Jeffs recently abandoned.
Home ownership is practically an alien concept in the twin towns of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona. When Jeffs disappeared, he left behind a gigantic can of worms. For decades, nearly all the community's homes, businesses and land have been owned by the United Effort Plan Trust. It's an arm of the FLDS Church totally dominated in recent years by Warren Jeffs.
Don Timpson, Colorado City Resident: "But when the trust is used as a hammer, a weapon..."
Colorado City resident Don Timpson says many homes remain unfinished, largely because occupants feel so insecure.
Don Timpson, Colorado City Resident: "People just don't have the confidence that they will reap the reward of what they build."
That's because Jeffs has been known to punish the slightest sign of disloyalty by forcing people out, reassigning wives and children.
Richard Holm, Ousted F.L.D.S. Member: "If there's some person who just on some spur-of-the-moment decision can kick you out of that home, where is security? And what is more sacred to a person than that?"
The courts seized control of the trust last year. Now they're thrashing out a new set of rules. They will allow home occupants to take ownership if they meet certain criteria.
Jeffrey L. Shields, Attorney for Trust Fiduciary: "One of the factors that the trustees cannot consider is, 'what's your religious affiliation? Do you believe in Warren Jeffs? Do you disbelieve him?' That is a no-no factor to look at."
But what if people loyal to Jeffs take title and then simply return the property to him? A special feature in the plan could be used to prevent new owners from selling or transferring the deed, possibly for years.
Jeffrey L. Shields: "And so they could have the use of it, live there, but not give up legal title. And that's for their own protection. Little bit paternalistic, but it may be needed for the next few years."
It's expected that initially, only those with no loyalty to Jeffs will become home owners. He's ordered FLDS members not to cooperate in any way with the courts. Even optimists figure it will be years, or even decades, before the American Dream of home ownership takes root in the FLDS Church.
