copies." This book has received numerous accolades from LDS Church authorities. Ezra Taft Benson, who succeeded Kimball as president of the church, urged all church members "to read and reread President Spencer W. Kimball's book." More recently, in the November 2004 General Conference, LDS Church apostle Richard G. Scott called it a "masterly work" and, prior to that, "a superb guide to forgiveness through repentance." Scott recommended reading the last two chapters first, to better appreciate the book's message. Although from 1976 to 1988 the LDS Church encouraged missionaries to read the book, since then it has not been part of the "approved missionary library". The book went out of print in 2015. The book is controversial, even among Mormons, for its treatment of masturbation, homosexuality, premarital sex, and rape. Rape survivors have been published criticizing parts of the book including the phrase "It is better to die in defending one's [virginity] than to live having lost it without a struggle" as victim blaming and shaming rhetoric that contributes to rape culture. Allen Bergin, a retired psychologist from Brigham Young University and past president of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists (AMCAP), felt the useful parts were "overshadowed by a host of negatives and also outdated policies that the church itself doesn't even endorse any more." Years after publication, Kimball reportedly remarked that its tone may have been too strong. See also Beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Law of chastity Sexuality and Mormonism Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Masturbation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints References External links Full text of the book Free audio book version 1969 books LDS non-fiction 1969 in Christianity Bookcraft books Works by apostles (LDS Church)