Aaron Richards is an adjunct instructor in the Department of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. He received a BA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies with a minor in Family Life in 2024, then an MA in Chaplaincy from Brigham Young University in 2026. He also works as a PRN Chaplain for several hospitals and hospice companies in the Utah County and Salt Lake County areas. Aaron is currently pursuing opportunities to serve as a chaplain in the United States Air Force.
His graduate research focused on religion and national crisis, including the responses of American faith leaders following September 11, 2001. He also has interests in moral injury, resilience, and the role of faith in supporting service members and their families.
Aaron enjoys teaching scripture, mentoring missionaries, studying history and world religions, and helping others navigate spiritual and emotional challenges. Outside of academics and ministry, he enjoys travel, golf, fantasy literature, smoking meats, and spending time with his wife Michelle of Tampico, Mexico and their three children, Morgan, Percy, and Cosette.
Courses Taught: REL A 121 Book of Mormon
Areas of Expertise: Chaplaincy, Pastoral Care, Grief Ministry, Religious Resilience, Scripture Interpretation, Interfaith Engagement, Religion and Crisis Response, Moral Injury.
Areas of Academic Interest: Biblical Archaeology, New Testament Scholarship, Early Christian History, Graeco-Roman Culture and History, Military Religious Leadership.
Languages: Classical Greek (reading), Biblical Hebrew (Reading), Spanish, Portuguese