The Spirit for All Flesh: Understanding the New Covenant Promise

Sometimes I’m sitting here, studying the scriptures, and I’m struck by how vast the promises of the gospel are. We read about the covenants, the amazing power of the Spirit, and how much the Lord has prepared for us. But sometimes, reading the Old Testament, it feels like the Spirit was only for *select* people—the judges, the prophets, the mighty men.

It’s easy, when we’re knee-deep in mission prep or just getting back into the rhythm of the gospel after a long stretch, to feel like we’re waiting for a special "calling" or a specific moment when we’ll be deemed worthy enough to feel that fullness of the Spirit. We can get caught up in the "special people" mindset.

But what Joel saw, and what Peter preached, was something revolutionary. It wasn't limited to the anointed few; it was for *All Flesh*.

The Outpouring for All: A New Covenant Reality

Pastor David’s recent devotional on Joel 2 was a powerful reminder of this shift. The Book of Joel starts with warnings, yes, but it pivots hard into this glorious promise: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.”

Think about the progression: from individual instances of the Spirit filling Joseph, Joshua, or David, to this universal promise. The Old Covenant was powerful, but the New Covenant, inaugurated by the Savior, changes the playing field entirely. The work of the ministry, the power of the Spirit—it’s not reserved for the priesthood offices alone; it belongs to the people.

This is the heart of what it means to be a disciple today. We are called to be internet missionaries, disciples anywhere, all the time. We aren't waiting for a special "day" or a special "group" to feel the fullness of the Spirit. The Spirit is available to us right now, for our studies, our service, and our daily lives.

The Ministry Belongs to the People

The scripture is clear: the work of the ministry belongs to all the people of God (Ephesians 4:12). This isn't just a nice sentiment; it’s the operational reality of the restored gospel. When we understand that, our approach to our calling changes. We move from waiting for permission to actively participating in the ongoing work.

If you’ve been feeling like you need a "special assignment" to feel the Spirit's prompting, I want you to remember that the promptings for *this* week—the promptings to study the Book of Mormon, to invite a neighbor to a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces, or to ask a challenging question during a missionary discussion—those are the assignments. They are the fulfillment of Joel’s promise for us.

A Little Prep for the Field

If you want to anchor this truth, here’s a small piece of mission prep I always try to keep handy. When someone asks, "What's the biggest difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant?" don't just recite scripture. Instead, pivot back to the Spirit. You can say something like, "The biggest difference is the *availability* of the Spirit. Before, it was often selective for specific tasks. Now, the promise is that the Spirit is for *all* of us to use in building up the Kingdom."

This concept—the Spirit for all flesh—is a beautiful, tangible way to testify of the Savior’s Atonement and the fullness of the modern dispensation. It’s a message that resonates whether you’re in the MTC, in a temple setting, or across the digital divide.

I encourage you to dive deeper into this concept. If you’re interested in digging into the prophecies of the latter days, I highly recommend checking out the latest Iron Rod insights on this topic. If you want to discuss this with others, join a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week!

Keep pressing forward, brothers and sisters. The Spirit is ready to be poured out on *you*.

— Your Brother in the Gospel