In this episode, we sit down with Steve Pynakker, the creator behind Mormon Book Reviews. Steve has never joined Mormon church, but he's deeply passionate about exploring the many different branches of the Mormon Restoration movement. On his YouTube channel, he dives into the history, beliefs, and practices of these various groups, offering a fascinating look at a tradition that many people don't fully understand.

Steve also opens up about his personal journey as a gay man and an evangelist, and how those experiences shape the way he approaches his own faith and the Mormon Restoration. We talk about how he navigates the intersection of identity and belief, and why he's so committed to making space for honest, open conversations about religion—especially in such a complex, often misunderstood movement.

This episode is a mix of history, personal stories, and some honest reflections on what it means to find your place in a world of evolving beliefs.

Trevon Cutler chose the Church for himself as a teenager and gave it everything—priesthood, leadership, a mission, and years of trying to become the person he believed he was supposed to be. But underneath it all, he was quietly fighting the truth about being gay, hoping faith and obedience would somehow change it.

They didn't. The pressure built into anxiety, depression, and a mental health crisis that pushed him further than he ever expected to go.

When Trevon finally came out, it wasn't a single moment—it was a risk. One message to a friend. One message to his mom. And instead of losing everything, he found the support that helped pull him through one of the darkest nights of his life.

This conversation is honest about what it costs to hide, what it takes to face yourself, and how life can begin to open up on the other side of that truth—even while the struggle is still real.

David Chappell is a civil engineer, community organizer, and emerging political voice in Utah County. Raised in Arizona in a traditional Latter-day Saint family, David served a mission in Milan, Italy, where exposure to a wider world—and greater diversity—began shaping the questions that would later define his advocacy.

While attending Brigham Young University, David helped co-found the Cougar Pride Center, a grassroots organization dedicated to creating resources, connection, and large-scale events for LGBTQ+ people in Provo and Orem. During that time, he also faced his own personal struggles, including suicidal thoughts as a freshman, experiences that deepened his commitment to making campus and community spaces safer and more supportive for LGBTQ+ students navigating faith and identity.

Today, David continues that work as both an advocate and a builder—applying the same drive he brings to engineering toward strengthening his community. He is now stepping into the political arena, running for office in Utah House District 62 in Provo, with the goal of helping shape a more inclusive and compassionate future for Utah.

In this conversation, David shares his journey through faith, identity, mental health, and public service — and why he believes community care and representation matter now more than ever.

Visit the CougarPrideCenter on Instagram: @CougarPrideCenter

Visit David's campaign: DavidForUtah.com