I think its obvious that gages are not appropriate or compatible with the nature of God. Could you imagine the Savior’s mother or even himself adorning his body with anything of that nature. I believe if you truly ask yourself the question if it is appropriate or not, you already know the answer.

Actually this is not all correct, only bishops are judges in Israel not his counselors. If anything is questionable a counselor should first seek the bishops opinion before issuing the recommend. A counselor can only issue a recommend if a candidate meets all the requirements without question. Stake presidency counselors can judge in most cases.

Jesus was perfect, and we are sinners. Jesus would look to the good in us and judge us on our love for Him, not our appearance. I did not say that I disagree with the standards, but take out the earing and enter the House of the Lord with a clean spirit. There are lots and lots of people that enter the House of the Lord with tattoos and modifications to their bodies. “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” That quote is not meant towards you, Brian, but a simple reminder of our own shortcomings. Again, the person is judged on their appearance as “insane”. In fact, I know this “insane” guy who served a mission and lost an eye in Iraq, and he serves the Lord every day. He entered the Marines at 23 and lost an eye during combat, and the tattoo is a badge of honor from his unit. He received the parrot from a Veterans organization to help with PTSD.

JustMe, If you truly had the spirit would you do things contrary to Him?! Would anyone come to any other conclusion that if Jesus were walking the earth today he would have tattoos or gauges of any sort? And to your question, no it doesn’t make him a pirate, it just makes him insane!!
;-)