The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taken no position on any piece of immigration legislation. However, advocates on both sides of the debate say perhaps a recent talk by Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Quorums of the Seventy, calling on the predominantly LDS Legislature to take a "more thoughtful, factual, not to mention humane, approach," may have played a role in a softer stand on the issue.

Ronald Mortensen of the Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration says the LDS church's lack of a clarified position "has muddied the water. The public is thoroughly confused." Still, Mortensen said, "the people I know, they want action ... These guys know what their constituents want."

Antonella Romero Packard, co-chair of the Utah Hispanic/Latino Legislative Task Force, said the poll results were heartening. Her group has been calling for the task force option.

"I am encouraged to see Utah wants to see the matter studied," she said. "I don't think our citizenry wants (lawmakers) to act rashly."

Friday the Senate gave overwhelming support to two resolutions calling on Congress to act on immigration reform. And the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that creates a felony for human smuggling and human trafficking, which now moves to the Senate.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com