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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Two women who gave their life savings to an apocalyptic religious group say they are victims of fraud.
Now, Kaziah Hancock and Cindy Stewart took their lawsuit against The True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of The Last Days to the Utah Court of Appeals.
They claim the church failed to make good on promises that the women get land and see Christ in return for their money.
Stewart turned over her life savings to the church. Hancock sold her farm and gave the church the proceeds.
In return, church leader Jim Harmston allegedly promised the women membership in the "Church of the Firstborn," that they would see Christ face-to-face, and be given land.
An attorney for Harmston argued that the promises are rooted in church doctrine, not a business contract.
But an attorney representing the women says Harmston and the church should not be allowed to create a "religious cocoon" to protect themselves.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
