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SALT LAKE CITY—First it was the T-shirts proclaiming the simple message, “I Can’t, I’m Mormon.” Now LDS youth seeking new, edgier means of self-expression have run up against another round of Church counsel.
“We understand that our young people feel the need to belong, to fit in with their peers,” said President Boyd P. Lipton of the Capital Heights Stake in Salt Lake City at a recent citywide youth fireside. “But regardless of what your tattoo says, it is still an affront to the God who made you.”
President Lipton was referring to a spate of tattoos that have been showing up in Ward buildings and seminary classes with such messages as “Judge Not,” and “Stripling Warrior”. The tattoos are the work of returned missionary Blaine Wright who started his business “Appropriatoos” to appeal to the young and hip LDS crowd. Judging from the number of clients, his service is popular among the young men and women of the Church, if not their parents and leaders.
“My daughter came home last week with a CTR navel stud,” complained Joanne Nibbits, one of several parents picketing out front of Appropriatoos on 3rd East in downtown Salt Lake. “I’m actually not positive, but I think that could keep her out of BYU.” She and other parents were pleased to hear the Church renew its resolve on these matters.
According to President Lipton’s remarks, the Church disapproves of all body alterations, including piercing and tattoos, with few exceptions. “The Church recognizes that there are certain instances where allowances must be made,” he said. “For instance, if you are Samoan, you can wear culturally appropriate tattoos if you anticipate performing at the Church’s Polynesian Cultural Center. If you are female, you may pierce your ears once. Or if you are a member of the Amazonian Oolingtitica tribe, you may wear one bone through your nose, but only one, and you must remove it when you attend the temple. Pirates, though discouraged generally, are allowed a single gold ear hoop, not to exceed two thirds of an ounce of 24 karat gold, and always in the left ear. Breast augmentation is permitted for women older than 30 who have been unable to attract a worthy husband, but should never exceed a 36 DD. Orthodontia is permitted, but rhinoplasty is not, unless it results in a more delightsome appearance.” On a side note, President Lipton admitted that he had personally paid for his wife’s liposuction and tummy-tuck, but “for purely medical reasons.”
Despite the warnings of both parents and Church leaders, Blaine Wright has not seen a decrease in business. “If anything, it’s gotten busier,” he says. “I’ve had several requests for ‘I [heart] Mormons’ and ‘Return With Honor!’ tattoos.” His latest offering, and a hot one at that, is a nipple post with a secret. “When you screw off the little ball on one end, you find that it’s really a consecrated oil vial! Cool, huh?” His customers couldn’t agree more.
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