Utah’s “Mother Teresa”: Her Final Wish for Christian Collaboration

Apr 23, 2026

Guest

Abby Cox

Guest

Abby Cox, First Lady of Utah, champions service and community solutions. Pastor Jamie White leads downtown outreach to the homeless. Pastor Corey Hodges runs hands-on neighborhood ministries. Sharon Eubank coordinates global humanitarian and interfaith relief. They discuss Pamela Atkinson’s push for action, practical collaboration across faiths, sustaining relationships amid conflict, and tangible ways to mobilize volunteers and avoid burnout.

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INSIGHT

Preexisting Relationships Make Hard Conversations Possible

Longstanding personal relationships let leaders navigate painful disagreements without ending collaboration.
Sharon Eubank cites rebuilding each other's houses of worship in Iraq as a symbolic act that cemented trust.

INSIGHT

Communication Fuelled Utah's Interfaith Collaboration

Increased communication and familiarity reduced interfaith competition in Utah, shifting groups toward collaboration.
Multiple guests credit Pamela and shared projects like the Olympics for creating cross-faith friendships.

INSIGHT

Systems And Meaning Are Complementary

Government provides systems while faith provides meaning and long-term motivation for service.
Pastor Corey and Abby Cox stress both are needed and shouldn't replace one another.

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On this episode of "Deseret Voices," Jane Clayson Johnson gathers an extraordinary panel of faith and policy leaders at the request of Pamela Atkinson — a woman often called "Utah’s Mother Teresa." Though Pamela was hospitalized just before the recording, her "final God-given assignment" brought together a diverse group of Christian leaders — Latter-day Saint, Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist — to discuss a 130-year-old question: What would Jesus do?

The conversation moves beyond theology into the grit of community service, exploring how faith groups can set aside competition to collaborate on homelessness, child welfare, and poverty. From "living out loud" in Kearns to "matchmaking" volunteers with nonprofits, the panel discusses the intentionality required to build trust across religious and political divides.

Key Discussion Points:

The Power of the Question: How a century-old book by Charles Sheldon still compels modern leaders to move from "hearing the word" to "doing the word," even when it creates personal sacrifice or political discomfort.
The "Pamela Factor": Reflections on how Pamela Atkinson’s "forced friendships" and lack of regard for titles have literally changed the state of Utah’s approach to the vulnerable.
Systems vs. Motivation: A look at the unique partnership between government (which provides systems) and faith communities (which provide meaning and personal motivation).
Combating Burnout: Practical tips for congregants who feel overwhelmed by the world's heaviness by focusing on "small acts done consistently" — like keeping water and socks in your car.
Interfaith Unity: Why standing up for another person’s faith, especially during times of global conflict, is the ultimate "trick" to creating lasting community bonds.

Featured Guests:

Jane Clayson Johnson (JCJ) – Host and Journalist
Abby Cox (AC) – First Lady of Utah
Sharon Eubank (SE) – Humanitarian Director, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Bishop W. Christopher Waddell (B.CW) – Presiding Bishop, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Pastor Jamie White (R. JW) – First Presbyterian Church
Pastor Corey Hodges (P.CH) – The Point Church
Michael Edwards (ME) – Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City
Sophia DiCaro (SD) – Executive Director, Utah Governor's Office of Planning and Budget

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time.

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).