A controversial verse from the Book of Mormon that links rape and chastity has been removed from a workbook that girls in the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints are required to study. 

Critics felt that a phrase in the Young Women’s Personal Progress workbooks, referencing Moroni 9:9, made rape victims feel they had violated the law of chastity.

LDS Church Spokesman Eric Hawkins told The Salt Lake Tribune the reference to Moroni 9:9 has now been removed from English versions of the Personal Progress workbooks. Copies in other languages will be updated soon, Hawkins said.

Part of Moroni 9:9 states, “For behold, many of the daughters of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners; and after depriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue.”

The workbook still emphasizes chastity, asking girls to write in their journals on “the promised blessings of being sexually clean and pure and your commitment to be chaste.” But the revision reflects LDS Church policy, as stated on the church’s website, which says “victims of sexual abuse are not guilty of sin and do not need to repent.”

According to KUTV, the section on virtue now uses a passage from Jacob 2:28, which states, “For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.”

Jana Reiss, a Mormon writer and columnist for Relgion News Service, said in a column that the change was “a good start,” but noted the verse is still included in the Book of Mormon and pervades Mormon beliefs surrounding purity. 

Activist and rape survivor Elizabeth Smart addressed the BYU Honor Code in an interview with Broadly in September. Smart said the “religious stigma” can make survivors afraid to come forward with their testimonies. Smart said this culture of shaming needs to end.

“People need to realize there is nothing that can detract from your worth,” Smart told Broadly. “When it comes to rape and sexual violence and abuse, that can never detract from who you are.”