What does a righteous political leader look like? When righteous political leaders in our day are so few and/or are so obscured from our immediate view, it is so nice to be able to turn to scripture and discover both what we lack in our current leadership and also what we should be searching for (and developing) in future leaders. From Mosiah, chapter 2:
1. Righteous leaders make sure that truth is taught to all of the people.
1 And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them.
2 And there were a great number, even so many that they did not number them; for they had multiplied exceedingly and waxed great in the land.
2. Contrary to current popular opinion or practice, a righteous leader leads people to keep God’s commandments by teaching them to see God’s hand in every aspect of their lives.
3 And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;
4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.
3. They recognize that families are the most basic unit of society and that righteous families lead to righteous societies.
5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another.
6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;
4. As an extension of point #1, a righteous leader will go to great lengths to teach people truth, as living according to truth always results in a more prosperous society.
7 For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not teach them all within the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them.
8 And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from the tower; and they could not all hear his words because of the greatness of the multitude; therefore he caused that the words which he spake should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words.
5. Righteous leaders don’t take lightly the things that they say. They are completely aware of their responsibility to impart understanding to those who listen to them. They don’t just rule over their subjects. Righteous leaders teach their subjects how to become wise rulers over whatever stewardship they may have.
9 And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
6. Righteous leaders know that their governance has limits because of their own human condition. While they may hold a public office, that office can only be given by consent and does not eliminate the need for them to remain humble servants. Public service is the hallmark of public office.
10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man.
11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.
7. Righteous leaders do not seek for the things of this world. Gold, silver, or riches of any other kind are not a source of motivation for the service they render.
12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;
8. Righteous leaders limit their actions to what is righteous and just. In doing so, they become living examples of how the Lord would govern—teaching their subjects how to live by living righteous lives themselves.
13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—
9. Righteous leaders do not abandon their own livelihoods to facilitate their public service. If leaders cease laboring with their own hands, the cost of the public office becomes a burden to the people. This is a characteristic of righteous leaders that is easily observable.
14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
10. Righteous leaders neither boast of themselves, nor accuse others. Righteous leaders conduct themselves in a manner that is above reproach, answering to God for their actions.
15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.
11. Righteous leaders recognize that any service to the people is more correctly viewed when viewed as service to God. In this, there is not found a reason to boast.
16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.