Through Gates of Splendor

Wow!! What an incredible story!!! The deep faith in God shared by these five men and their families shines forth through the pages of this book. The story is written in a straight forward manner which engages the reader. Although the book is written by one of the widows, I appreciate the fact that she gave equal time and attention to each man and their families throughout the book. Personally, this story touched my heart probably more than any other missionary book I've ever read. The faith of these five men is just astounding!! Their willingness to sacrifice everything, including their own lives, to serve God is inspiring and brought me to tears. This book will make you examine your heart and Christian walk. I highly recommend this book to everyone and especially those on the mission field!!!

I've known this story for decades, but never read it - the power is in the details, especially the personal attitudes, struggles and responses. The humble faith and reliance on Jesus Christ and GOD'S Word and His Sovereignty speaks deep into my soul. This was the first book I picked to read in bed, last thing I do each day, in a quest to turn my mental habit of worry to faith and trust in the Lord. Thank you, Lord, to leading me to Elizabeth Elliot's "Through the Gates of Splendor."

I began reading this book after seeing a post on Facebook about it. I already knew the end fate of the men but was curious still. To me, this is a tragedy but it is also inspirational. To care for savage strangers so deeply out of a love for God is truly amazing to me. Well worth the read. And curiosity even more peeked!

I ordered this book after watching the movie End of the Spear that tells about five missionaries who were slain by natives in Ecuador. The story is extremely moving as you learn about the depth of faith and dedication these men had for spreading the Gospel, even in spite of the known risks, as well as how their families dealt with the events and continued, quite successfully, to carry own their husbands' and father's work. Through Gates of Splendor gave the backstory to the End of the Spear movie.

I highlighted so many passages in this book. Written by the wife of slain missionary Jim Elliot and his fellow missionaries killed by the Acuna Indians. These men gave their lives for others and for their convictions. And Ms. Elliot ends up being an incredibly gifted writer who shares the story of her husband and friend with sentences that made me stop and weep. There are books you keep pressing thru the next chapter they are that compelling. This is one of those books.

The story of great and selfless Christian men and women who sacrificed all for the bounty of the Lord. Elisabeth Elliot's delivery of the accounts that happened make the book a must read for aspiring missionaries and lay Christians alike. It is no wonder that she was one of the most influential women of the church during the twentieth century. Young people need to read Through Gates of Splendor as they ponder God's purposes for their lives. It is a solidly written pioneering journey into one of the most remote places in the Americas for salvation work.

I recently purchased this as a gift for someone. I can say, without any hesitation, that this is probably one of the most impactful books that I've ever read. That was probably fifty-three years ago and it still has an impact when I read passages. This is the true story of a group of men who felt God call them to reach a group of reclusive, warrior natives in South America. The most famous of those men are Nate Saint and Jim Elliot. Jim's wife, Elizabeth, wrote this book detailing their call, dedication, diligence, enthusiasm, devotion and massacre at the hands of the people that they chose to reach out to. Tragic, inspirational, motivational are works that immediately come to mind. This is not the easiest of books to read as you approach the inevitable climax - but I recommend it to anyone who has the nerve to open the cover.

I first read this book as a teenager many years ago. I read it again with the eyes of a 50 something person, and learnt so many new things from this book. It is a book of challenge and wonder, grace and forgiveness! It is a book that takes the command to spread the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth in all the seriousness and love with which Christ said it. One cannot read this book without reflecting on one's own life as a child of God. One cannot read this book without marveling at the power of the Gospel to change lives, to bring about forgiveness and reconciliation in the circumstances where vengeance and retribution would be justifiable.