One of two Bountiful, B.C., religious leaders charged with practicing polygamy will have his passport returned so he attend a land dispute settlement conference in the United States.

James Oler and Winston Blackmore made a court appearance yesterday in Cranbrook, B.C.

The two leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were charged with polygamy in January. Oler is accused of having three wives and Blackmore, 19.

Lands belonging to the church were placed under the control of an independent judiciary by the governments of Utah and Arizona in 2005.

Oler had been invited to attend a conference on the matter and judge agreed that he could go.

He has to post a cash deposit of $40,000, which will be returned when he again surrenders his passport April 28th.

The case against Oler and Blackmore has been adjourned until May 22nd in Vancouver.

Blackmore's lawyer asked for the adjournment so Blackmore can request the government pay his legal expenses.

He had earlier been turned down for legal aid.