When I was in high school, I saw kids in my classes getting tattoos. That's when I first thought about getting a tiger tattoo on my upper back. Being a kid, it was more of an idea that stuck with me for over a decade. It was a dream that I believed would never come to fruition as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Life moved on. I went to college, served a mission, and got married. The idea of the tattoo faded into the background until 2022. During General Conference they announced the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet was revised. Instead of listing specific rules like no tattoos or multiple piercings, the guidance would read:
“The Lord’s standard is for you to honor the sacredness of your body, even when that means being different from the world. Let this truth and the Spirit be your guide as you make decisions — especially decisions that have lasting effects on your body.”
Instead of having dos and don’ts, we are encouraged to commune with God and seek personal revelation. I thought that was beautiful. ...But I wouldn’t dare go against previous policies and have members of the church stare at me- wondering if my testimony was shaking or if I had one foot out the door. Emily in her late 20s couldn’t handle that.
Earlier this year, I saw a video of someone who is also active in the church. She shared that she had prayed about a similar decision when the revision first came out and received a no. Later this year, while driving, she felt prompted to pray about it again. While hesitant, she prayed again. This time, the answer was yes. She acted on it and found peace.
I realized that I never once prayed about getting a tattoo since that update. That evening, I prayed with the same intent I had when I asked if I should serve a mission. I was willing to act or not act based on the answer I received. If the answer was no, I would listen and continue being ink free. I explained to Heavenly Father why the tattoo would be symbolic to me and then listened. The meaning of the tattoo became way more significant when I became a mom.
I was not expecting a yes. But when that confirmation came, I felt an incredible peace as I thought about it more and researched which artist to go to. That entire process made me feel closer to God. That He's not just some heavenly being, but more of a Dad that I can talk to more freely without the formalities. That relationship has continued since getting the tattoo over a week ago. Developing a more personal relationship with Him was one of my goals for 2026, and I didn't imagine that this entire adventure was a part of developing that relationship.
Looking back, my body has carried so much. Pregnancy, years of breastfeeding, and the constant giving that comes with caring for others. At times, my body hasn't felt like it was mine anymore. The opportunity to make this decision for myself, made me feel like my body is truly mine.
I don’t owe anyone every layer of meaning behind this tattoo. What matters is the symbolism I carry with it. Tigers represent power, intuition, courage, self-confidence, and strength. Qualities I’m intentionally working to embody, especially after becoming a mother. A moment of self-honoring before I eventually give myself fully again to motherhood with baby number three, whenever that baby may come.
Meet Kira.
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