Why do Mormons think we shouldn't get tattoos?

Answer 1

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) teaches that the body is a sacred gift from God and should be treated with respect. The Bible teaches that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Church members are encouraged to avoid tattoos and piercings. However, if a Church member does get a tattoo there is no church-sanctioned consequence or penalty, it is their personal choice. The worst that would happen is that members of the congregation would assume they weren't taking their religion seriously. Those who already have tattoos are welcome to be baptized into the Church as well.

You can learn more about what the Church teaches about tattoos at the "Related Links" below.

Answer 2

Actually this is a Christian Doctrine that is written in the Bible. Which reads in Leviticus 19:28 - "Ye shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the dead, Nor print any marks upon: I am the Lord."

Also, the LDS Church believes that our bodies are temples. If some one were to put graffiti on one of the beautiful temples that we have, then wouldn't you think that it was defiled, even if the graffiti looked good and was nice.

1st Cor. 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? The spirit of God dwells in the Temples that we have on this Earth, and it is not right to put Graffiti on these temples, and if the Temple is a clean beautiful place where God's spirit dwelleth, shouldn't then your bodies be also clean. For both are temples' of God, in which God's spirit resides.

And last of all, We have been given prophets on this Earth that hold the Keys to the Kingdom of God, and they receive revelation from God for the leading of all the members of the church. The prophet holds great authority from God to inform us through revelation. And he has strongly encourage members of the church to not get tattoos. No one has more authority than the prophet? D&C 1:38 - What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. ( The word 'servants' in this verse is referring to prophets.)