A parable in the New Testament tells of a wealthy king who forgives a debt owed by one of his servants. The pardoned servant later encounters a man who owes him a significantly smaller debt and demands from him full and immediate payment, invoking his remedies to the fullest extent of the law. The merciful king, upon learning of his pardoned debtor's harsh actions, remarks, "Should not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?"

Policymakers in the Utah Legislature should exercise compassion in formulating any response to the current immigration debate. Compassion doesn't necessitate granting blanket amnesty. It doesn't mean ignoring the rule of law. Compassion requires developing a comprehensive solution to a complex issue.

Hard-line proposals that would disrupt family units, jail productive members of our society and deny educational opportunities and birthright citizenship to children, not for their own misdeeds but because of the civil transgression of a parent, are not compassionate.

Some proponents of a harsh crackdown on undocumented individuals seek justification of their proposals from the 12th LDS article of faith that expresses our belief in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. Such application of this religious code, taken out of the broader context of LDS teachings and Christianity generally, to promulgate their proposed government policies may, like the harsh creditor in the New Testament parable, satisfy their personal demands for "justice." However, such policies ignore our bedrock values of mercy and compassion and the 13th article of faith, which calls for being "benevolent, virtuous and ... doing good to all men."

Sound immigration policy will not ignore the importance of enforcement as part of any solution. Yet much of our current federal immigration policy needs updating to reflect the economic realities of our day.

A comprehensive approach to immigration reform should not focus on draconian enforcement measures. Lawmakers should work collaboratively to advance immigration reforms at a national level or seek federal waivers allowing Utah to implement a unique solution reflective of our compassionate values and the needs and realities of our immigrant nation.

Ben McAdams is a senior adviser to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and a Democratic state senator from Utah's capital.