Preachers of Righteousness

Mormon tells us that during the time of King Benjamin there were “false prophets, and false preachers and teachers among the people” (Words of Mormon 1:16).  He indicates that these false preachers were “punished according to their crimes,” suggesting that they had not only preached false precepts but also performed acts contrary to their laws.  He contrasts this with the description of King Benjamin who was “a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness.”  I think part of what Mormon is showing is that to be a true preacher and teacher of the people, one must live righteously.  In fact, that’s how the Savior suggests that we recognize true and false prophets: “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16).  In other words, a prerequisite for a true prophet is that he bring forth good fruit, which I would paraphrase as living a righteous life.  This idea gives double meaning to the statement that the sons of Adam were “preachers of righteousness” in Moses 6:23.  These prophets were preachers who taught righteousness and “called upon men, everywhere, to repent,” but they were also men who were righteous themselves.  Noah was given this same title of a “preacher of righteousness” and contrasted by Peter with the “world of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5).  So if we are to likewise claim any validity as teachers and preachers of the gospel, we must both bring forth the fruits of righteousness and teach principles of repentance.