Judge Issues Restraining Order Against FLDS in School Dispute

Judge John Paul Kennedy issued a temporary restraining order requiring members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church and law enforcement to comply with court directives in a dispute over property occupancy. The order was issued amid rising tensions in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, where church leader Warren Jeffs reportedly set a deadline for members to demonstrate loyalty to him.

The ruling follows a hearing concerning a school in Hildale leased to a former FLDS member. The complaint alleges that several FLDS members have occupied the school buildings, despite a valid occupancy agreement held by a former member. Richard Holm, who operates the Holm School with his brother Thomas, claims the school has been used to educate children of both non-FLDS and FLDS families.

Richard Holm was expelled from the FLDS Church in 2003 but was granted a lease to the school in 2006 through a state-appointed special fiduciary. The complaint states that after Thomas Holm’s membership status was questioned, locks to the building were changed, and Richard Holm reported being denied access by FLDS members. An FLDS member informed Holm that utilities had been transferred to his name, further complicating the situation.

The dispute centers on competing claims to the use and control of the Holm School. The Holm brothers assert their rights to the property, while the FLDS Church claims a competing interest. The restraining order aims to ensure compliance with court orders and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

The case highlights ongoing tensions within the FLDS community, particularly regarding leadership and property rights. The judge’s intervention underscores the legal complexities arising from the sect’s internal dynamics and its interactions with local authorities. The situation reflects broader challenges faced by the FLDS in navigating legal and social pressures.

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