Latter-day Saint guidance on tattoos

Can Mormons get tattoos?

Yes—but the Church’s current youth guidance treats getting a tattoo as contrary to its standard for honoring the body, rather than stating that a tattooed person is barred from Church membership or temple ordinances. [1]

The current For the Strength of Youth says: “The Lord’s standard is for you to honor the sacredness of your body,” and directs members to let that principle and the Spirit guide decisions about tattoos and other lasting changes to the body. [1]

Earlier official guidance was more direct. The 2001 For the Strength of Youth instructed: “Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings.” [2] In 2000, President Gordon B. Hinckley said that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve “discourage tattoos,” while distinguishing that discouragement from a total prohibition and allowing minimal ear piercing for women. [3]

The practical answer is therefore: Latter-day Saints can get tattoos, but Church leaders have repeatedly counseled members—especially youth—not to do so. Bruce R. McConkie’s 1966 Mormon Doctrine described tattooing as a “desecration of the human body,” yet explicitly said tattooed persons were “not, however, denied the ordinances and blessings of the temples.” [4] That book was written by an individual Church leader, whereas the later statements by Hinckley and the current For the Strength of Youth are official Church materials. [3][1]

Edition and source differences

Substantive Revision

The 2001 youth guide gave a direct instruction not to disfigure oneself with tattoos, while the 2022 guide frames the standard as honoring the body and seeking spiritual and family or leader counsel about lasting bodily decisions.

Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings.

Dress and Appearance, For the Strength of Youth, 2001 Edition, 2001, For the Strength of Youth (2001), p. 14; For the Strength of Youth (2001), p. 15; For the Strength of Youth (2001), p. 16

Let this truth and the Spirit be your guide as you make decisions—especially decisions that have lasting effects on your body.

10. Your body is sacred, For the Strength of Youth, 2022 Edition, 2022

The current wording is less categorical than the earlier publication, though both direct members away from tattoos.

Sources

1. 10. Your body is sacred — For the Strength of Youth, 2022 Edition, 2022 — Official Church
2. Dress and Appearance — For the Strength of Youth, 2001 Edition, 2001, For the Strength of Youth (2001), p. 14; For the Strength of Youth (2001), p. 15; For the Strength of Youth (2001), p. 16 — Official Church
3. “Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children” — Gordon B. Hinckley, General Conference, October 2000, 2000 — Official Church
4. Tattooing — Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966 Second Edition (post-1978 revised printing), 1966, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (digital reprint), p. 542 — Leader