Po Nien Chou

Po Nien Chou is a Professor in the Faculty of Religious Education at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, where he teaches courses including Book of Mormon, New Testament, Old Testament, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Church History in the Pacific and Asia, and The Gospel and World Religions. With over 229 student ratings giving him a perfect 5/5 overall quality score and 100% indicating they would take his class again, he is recognized for his inspirational teaching style, meaningful participation requirements, and caring approach to students.

• Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Foundations, Brigham Young University (2010)
• M.S. in Health Science, Brigham Young University (1999)
• B.S. in Emergency Management, George Washington University (1995)

Professor Chou's research focuses on the global history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly in Asia and Oceania, with special emphasis on the translation of the Book of Mormon into various languages worldwide. His work bridges religious studies, historical analysis, and cultural understanding, examining how religious institutions adapt and grow across diverse cultural contexts.

His recent publications predominantly examine the growth and development of the Church in Indonesia, featuring interviews with key religious leaders who have shaped the Church's presence in Southeast Asia. These works form part of his broader scholarly contribution documenting the worldwide expansion of religious movements, particularly focusing on how religious institutions establish themselves in culturally diverse environments across Asia and the Pacific.

• Member, Mormon Historical Association (2014-2020)
• Member, American Educational Research Association (2011-2020)
• Member, Western History Association (2019)
• Multiple scholarship awards from BYU, GWU, and professional organizations

Professor Chou serves as the Director of the Chinese channel for Scripture Central, supervising 23 volunteers in producing religious content. He chairs the Religious Education Curriculum Development committee and the Religious Education Undergraduate Research Conference at BYU-Hawaii. His grant funding from the BYU Religious Studies Center, BYU-Hawaii, and the Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Studies demonstrates strong institutional support for his research on Asian and Pacific religious history. He also advises numerous student research assistants and teaching assistants in religious studies.

With his background growing up in Taiwan and Brazil, speaking multiple languages, and extensive experience with the Church Educational System across Asia, Professor Chou brings a truly global perspective to his teaching and research on religious history and education.