Tattoos

Old Testament New Testament Book of Mormon Statements of Belief

Origins of the Topic

Is it OK to get a tattoo?

People will justify saying that getting a tattoo is OK because the Bible does not say that it is evil or to not do it. Or, "what harm is it"? Or, "it's my body, I'll do what I want with it."

Commentary: As for the Bible, the main difference between the Old and New Testaments is that in the Old Testament, specific things were mentioned as examples of sin or righteousness, and if something was not mentioned, then it was open to interpretation if it were righteous, evil, or neither. Whereas, in the New Testament, the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37,39, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." ) was expected to be written on the hearts of people and people were expected to use these two commandments to apply to everything (Matthew 22:40 - On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets). If you are looking for a statement that says "tattoos are good" or "tattoos are evil," then you are applying the Old Testament thinking. To think according to the New Testament, the questions to answer are "is it something that God cares about?" and "is it something that helps others?"

The Bible says very little regarding tattoos, but it does provide the guidance to be able to determine if they fit into the category of righteousness or evil. First, marks are identified with those people that displease God. Second, God states that clothing is not important to him (if clothing is unimportant, how can anything we wear, including tattoos, be important?). Third, the motivation to get a tattoo is thinking about yourself (selfishness) and selfishness is a sin (see Sin). The love that God wants us to have towards others is a love of perfect charity (i.e. not thinking about yourself) and how can you think about getting a tattoo on yourself if you are not supposed to think about yourself?

Old Testament

The mark placed on Cain saved him temporarily only to be judged later>
Genesis 4:11-15 [11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; [12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. [13] And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. [14] Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. [15] And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. Commentary: The mark placed on Cain did save him from being killed by other people, but God had still cursed him.

The mark placed on Cain saved him temporarily only to be judged later>

Genesis 4:11-15
[11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
[12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
[13] And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
[14] Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
[15] And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

Commentary: The mark placed on Cain did save him from being killed by other people, but God had still cursed him.

Commanded not to put marks on you - Key Verse -
Leviticus 19:28 - Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord. Ezekiel 8:16-18,9:1-6 [16] And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. [17] Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. [18] Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. [9:1] He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. [2] And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. [3] And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; [4] And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. [5] And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: [6] Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. Commentary: In one of Ezekiel's visions, marks placed on people only saved them temporarily to be sent into tribulation and be judged later by God. Commentary: As in Genesis 4:11-15, God was upset with the people. The mark given to certain people saved them from immediate destruction only to be judged by later (Ezekiel 11:9-10 - And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you. Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord).

Commanded not to put marks on you - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Leviticus 19:28 - Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 8:16-18,9:1-6
[16] And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
[17] Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.
[18] Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.
[9:1] He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
[2] And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
[3] And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
[4] And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
[5] And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
[6] Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

Commentary: In one of Ezekiel's visions, marks placed on people only saved them temporarily to be sent into tribulation and be judged later by God.

Commentary: As in Genesis 4:11-15, God was upset with the people. The mark given to certain people saved them from immediate destruction only to be judged by later (Ezekiel 11:9-10 - And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you. Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord).

New Testament

People that support the beast will receive a mark
Revelation 13:15-18 [15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. [16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: [17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. [18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

People that support the beast will receive a mark

Revelation 13:15-18
[15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
[17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
[18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The people that receive the mark of the beast will face God's wrath - Key Verse -
Revelation 14:8-10 [8] And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. [9] And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, [10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

The people that receive the mark of the beast will face God's wrath - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Revelation 14:8-10
[8] And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
[9] And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
[10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

People without a mark will have victory over the beast
Revelation 15:2 - And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

People with a mark of the beast will be cast into the lake of fire - Key Verse -
Revelation 19:19-20 [19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. [20] And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

People with a mark of the beast will be cast into the lake of fire - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Revelation 19:19-20
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
[20] And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

People without a mark will live with Christ - Key Verse -
Revelation 20:4 - And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Commentary: The people that refused the mark lived with Christ a thousand years after the first resurrection

People without a mark will live with Christ - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Revelation 20:4 - And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Commentary: The people that refused the mark lived with Christ a thousand years after the first resurrection

Book of Mormon

Those that are cursed will mark themselves. Those that God curses will have marks put on them. Those without a mark will be blessed by God - Key Verse -
Alma 1:102-117 [102] And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites; for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads, after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites. [103] Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they were naked, save it were skin, which was girded about their loins, and also their armor, which was girded about them, and their bows, and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, etc. [104] And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their trangression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men. [105] And their brethren sought to destroy them; therefore they were cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and the Ishmaelitish women; [106] And this was done, that their seed might be distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction. [107] And it came to pass that whosoever did mingle his seed with that of the Lamanites, did bring the same curse upon his seed. [108] Therefore whosoever suffered himself to be led away by the Lamanites, was called under that head, and there was a mark set upon him. [109] And it came to pass that whosoever would not believe in the tradition of the Lamanites, but believe those records which were brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and also in the tradition of their fathers, which were correct, who believed in the commandments of God, and kept them, were called the Nephites, or the people of Nephi, from that time forth; [110] And it is they who have kept the records which are true of their people, and also of the people of the Lamanites. [111] Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads. [112] Thus the word of God is fulfilled, for these are the words which he said to Nephi: [113] Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed; and I will set a mark upon them, that they and their seed may be separated from thee and thy seed, from this time henceforth and for ever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me, that I may have mercy upon them. [114] And again: I will set a mark upon him that mingleth his seed with thy brethren, that they may be cursed also. [115] And again: I will set a mark upon him that fighteth against thee and thy seed. [116] And again I say, He that departeth from thee, shall no more be called thy seed; and I will bless thee, etc., and whomsoever shall be called thy seed, henceforth and for ever: and these were the promises of the Lord unto Nephi, and to his seed. [117] Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God, when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads;

Those that are cursed will mark themselves. Those that God curses will have marks put on them. Those without a mark will be blessed by God - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Alma 1:102-117
[102] And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites; for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads, after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.
[103] Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they were naked, save it were skin, which was girded about their loins, and also their armor, which was girded about them, and their bows, and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, etc.
[104] And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their trangression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.
[105] And their brethren sought to destroy them; therefore they were cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and the Ishmaelitish women;
[106] And this was done, that their seed might be distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction.
[107] And it came to pass that whosoever did mingle his seed with that of the Lamanites, did bring the same curse upon his seed.
[108] Therefore whosoever suffered himself to be led away by the Lamanites, was called under that head, and there was a mark set upon him.
[109] And it came to pass that whosoever would not believe in the tradition of the Lamanites, but believe those records which were brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and also in the tradition of their fathers, which were correct, who believed in the commandments of God, and kept them, were called the Nephites, or the people of Nephi, from that time forth;
[110] And it is they who have kept the records which are true of their people, and also of the people of the Lamanites.
[111] Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads.
[112] Thus the word of God is fulfilled, for these are the words which he said to Nephi:
[113] Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed; and I will set a mark upon them, that they and their seed may be separated from thee and thy seed, from this time henceforth and for ever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me, that I may have mercy upon them.
[114] And again: I will set a mark upon him that mingleth his seed with thy brethren, that they may be cursed also.
[115] And again: I will set a mark upon him that fighteth against thee and thy seed.
[116] And again I say, He that departeth from thee, shall no more be called thy seed; and I will bless thee, etc., and whomsoever shall be called thy seed, henceforth and for ever: and these were the promises of the Lord unto Nephi, and to his seed.
[117] Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God, when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads;