The other day, a non-Mormon coworker of mine asked me if it’s okay for a Mormon person to get tattoos. Quick as a whistle the answer flew to my mind and straight out my mouth, “Nope! Mormons aren’t supposed to get tattoos!” I’ve never put much thought into the matter; I’ve just always known it. Of course, she followed up with the expected “why not?” and I had a bit of thinking to do. The immediate reply that popped through my head was the standard-issue “the body is a temple!” answer, but upon review I decided that an answer like that might come across a bit odd and unclear to a person who wasn’t accustomed to hearing it. My brain began searching through my head’s catalogues of doctrine, “Mormons can’t get tattoos, because that’s against the… the…” My mind shuffled through the commandments with catchy names, “…Law of Chasti… no… Word of Wis… no…” and then on to the less catchy but equally important commandments and teachings, but nothing specific came to mind. Less confident than the first time, I uttered, “Because… the body is a temple. We should treat it like a beautiful building. You wouldn’t write all over the walls of a temple!” among other things. She then wanted to know what the consequence would be if a Mormon did get a tattoo, and that’s where I was a bit stumped.
Pictured: a temple tattooed on a temple.
As far as I know, there are no specific consequences or official church discipline associated with getting a tattoo. If I go right now to my local tattoo parlor and get a huge and mighty dragon (let’s call him “Ancalagon the Black”) tattooed across my back, there’s nothing keeping me from serving in a calling, helping in church meetings, holding a temple recommend, participating in my ward chili cook-off, etc etc.
Thinking about it from the Church’s point of view, it would be pretty tough to put any specific restrictions on our inked-up brethren without alienating investigators with tattoos and pushing away potential converts, or discouraging our brothers and sisters who have gotten a tat during a period of inactivity from returning to the flock. Additionally, there are some people who get tattoos for different cultural reasons, where the cultural norms are different and tattoos aren’t looked upon as “rebellious” or “extreme” as they may be seen in western civilization. It would be difficult to institute a universal rule of tattoos.
Plus, what do you do with this guy?
Thinking about it later, the specific modern council that I recalled was a part of President Gordon B Hinckley’s famous talk to the youth in November of 2000. You may remember it for the 6 “B’s” that he gave us. Be grateful, Be smart, Be clean, Be true, Be humble, and Be prayerful. While speaking about “Be Clean” he touched on tattoos, saying the following:
Did you ever think that your body is holy? You are a child of God. Your body is His creation. Would you disfigure that creation with portrayals of people, animals, and words painted into your skin?
I promise you that the time will come, if you have tattoos, that you will regret your actions. They cannot be washed off. They are permanent. Only by an expensive and painful process can they be removed. If you are tattooed, then probably for the remainder of your life you will carry it with you. I believe the time will come when it will be an embarrassment to you. Avoid it. We, as your Brethren who love you, plead with you not to become so disrespectful of the body which the Lord has given you.
May I mention earrings and rings placed in other parts of the body. These are not manly. They are not attractive. You young men look better without them, and I believe you will feel better without them. As for the young women, you do not need to drape rings up and down your ears. One modest pair of earrings is sufficient.
I mention these things because again they concern your bodies.
How truly beautiful is a well-groomed young woman who is clean in body and mind. She is a daughter of God in whom her Eternal Father can take pride. How handsome is a young man who is well groomed. He is a son of God, deemed worthy of holding the holy priesthood of God. He does not need tattoos or earrings on or in his body. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve are all united in counseling against these things.
Now, there is always the question about what is doctrine and what is advice when it comes to the words of the prophets, but I don’t want to get into that right now. I want to know your opinions on the matter. Are tattoos acceptable or disrespectful? Should someone with tattoos be allowed to serve in prominent church callings? Should there be discipline for church members who get tattoos? Leave comments!
Its not that we as members of the LDS faith aren’t allowed to get tattoo’s. Rather its that as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we shouldn’t get tattoo’s or extra piercings. We still have the choice and as far as I now there are guidlines for church disaplen on the matter. Rather its just council not to get them.
I was an inactive member for about five years, and in one of my less than stellar points in life I got a tattoo on the top of my foot. Being a woman there is almost no pair of heels that will cover that up. My husband has a few tattoos as well from his inactive years but he was smarter in that his are where they can easily be covered. Now being a fully active temple going member the stares (and I’m sure judgments since this is Utah after all) follow. Yes it is something I regret doing, but here is my perspective on it, I learned a lot about how to be a better person and to not judge people from being inactive and while I know there are those who judge me every time I step in a temple for it my tattoo reminds me of the time when I didn’t have the gospel in my life and to not take it for granted now that I again have it. Now that being said when my husband and I came back to church our bishop was very understanding and wonderful. Fact of the matter is that what needs to be said about it has been said by the brethren and now we are all accountable to our own agency.
I would get a tattoo if I could think of something I would want on my body forever but I can’t so I don’t. I think the churches position on tattoos should be like the rest of the worlds: Don’t do it if it makes you look stupid!
My son was in the MTC with a young man who had been on the other side of the religious field and had several tatoos. He was still having laser treatments to remove the most visible ones and was going somewhere where he would always wear long sleeves. He was worthy to serve in every way but to represent the church he and his leaders wanted a cleaner and dignified look. The tatoo won’t stop you from getting callings but I know many people who do regret that they got them. One of my close friends has many visible tatoos including full sleeve and chest. I love her and would love to take her to a relief society night. Hehe, that’s my rebellious nature.
Sounds like an old timers opinions (not to sound rude). The culture that those men, prohpet and apostles, grew up in is not ued to seeing extra piercings or tattoos. To tell someone in, lets say, India, who is Mormon that she cannot have her extra piercings because the Lord doesn’t like it, when in their culture, in can mean something completely different. Like, showing that a woman is married (Like a wedding band), is widowed, is pregnant, or that she is a woman, (like hijabs, or dresses in western cultures). To tell them, if they’re Mormon, that they cannon have extra piercings is a lack of sociology of their customs. It may make sense in a western society, but not in others.
That’s why they should integrate the Mormon beliefs to the new culture. For example, allowing Polynesian men to wear a tupenu to church. Hope everyone understands where I’m coming from.
Regarding the sin of permanent aesthetic enhancement, I must confess… I got braces. This artificial manipulation of my God-given smile will haunt me for the rest of my life. It was my choice and I know I will have to live with the consequences.
I had a couple of extra piercings in my ear before the Church ever said a word about women wearing more than one pair of earrings. I do not plan to get anymore, but I love the ones I have and don’t feel bad about keeping them. I do have to take the 2 extra ones out when I go to the Temple, which doesn’t bother me. One is in the top of my ear and I constantly play with it. I would be lost without it! As far as tattoo’s go, I don’t think people should judge. Some people view them as art and in their eyes they are making their body’s more beautiful. Personally, I NEVER thought I would want a tattoo. NEVER, EVER, EVER! But, my precious little dog died in August and I can’t put into words how bad I miss her. All of my dogs have been great, but this little Westie was truly an angel for me through some VERY hard physical and mental challenges. She got cancer in her stomach, and the day came when I HAD to let her go because I promised that I wouldn’t let her suffer. I have some ink prints of her paws. She was small for a Westie, and her paws were very little. Lately after having missed her beyond what I can describe for these past months, I just want to get one of her paw prints in a discreet area. I am disabled and don’t have much of a social life since my injury and illnesses, so she was my best buddy. I wish SO MUCH that she could just come home. So, I’ve been giving it A LOT of thought and I’m not 100% sure, but I’m pretty serious about getting one of my baby’s paws tattooed somewhere for ME. I don’t feel that there is anything wrong about that.