This a very interesting topic, however I suspect that "to publish or not to publish" answers the wrong question.
Striking to the heart of the problem I think. What is the issue and is the write topic under discussion (pun intended)?
I am young in the craft but notice that we have a major problem with retention.
I've heard older brothers complain that appendent bodies drain our lodges of members. I don't think that was really the problem either.
Publishing a code book will not fix that.
I don't think most of the brothers who object to publishing a standard book of work thin it's about retention, at least not directly.
It is however likely that a code book will further cheapen the entire experience to the point where young brothers (without good and true mentors)
I say the magic here is the mentors. Lodges who lose hold of their mentor/poster/candidates-coach program get rapidly in trouble. Having a book does not change that. Any lodge with a good mentoring program has candidates come through their pipeline cipher, written out or not. Any lodge without a good mentoring program loses candidates from their pipeline cipher, written or not. The mentor program completely overwhelms the importance of the book. The book is a small detail in comparison.
There was a thread a few months ago "Conduct unbecoming ..." about a brother in a lodge without an active mentor-ship program. He was stuck working from a book because that was the only resource he had. He ended up quitting because of lack of communication from his lodge. Was the book the problem? No, the lack of mentor-ship and other lodge function was the problem. At most the book was in the list of problems discussed by brothers of different lodges.
will try to memorize from the book instead of learning the meaning behind the words. Already we are raising parrots to regurgitate words without thinking, some of whom will seldom (if ever) come back once they get their official "Good Guy" card.
Think about it. If you really didn't know what the word "raised" means, I can guarantee that it made an impression when it happened.
I've seen grand lecturers and grand lodge instructors (I think those map to B and C certificates in Texas) who could recite ritual letter perfect in a conversational tone and pace, give gestures during the lectures, even wander around addressing individuals during the installation charge to the brethren, who couldn't tell you what any of it means to save their lives. The book doesn't matter here, either.
Memorizing does not equal understanding. A really good mentor teaches that. A good mentor discusses what it means. But even with only memorization the fellowship aspect of Masonry shines through and the fellowship is a firm foundation on which to build. If F stood for something better we could have it in the center of our symbol - Fellowship as the superstructure on which we build the rest and frovidence watching all that we do. Nah, doesn't work well enough.
If you had made the mistake of reading ahead, which is precisely what a sanctioned code book would encourage, you would cheat yourself out of the impression and the experience.
That happens anyways with expose' books. In jurisdictions with standard books of work they are only sold/issued to MMs for that reason so it's not an issue.