Rubin v. Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (In re Chuning)

FRANK W. ROGER, Bankruptcy Judge.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

BACKGROUND

This well tried on both sides adversary matter comes before the Court on the Complaint of the Trustee against the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) to determine lien status and to compel turnover of property. The debtors, but primarily Mark Douglas Chuning, had been engaged in farming as a share cropper for the RLDS since 1983. Prior to that time he had worked with his father who had been a share cropper for RLDS for many years.

The RLDS has accumulated a very substantial acreage of raw land,…