How was stablished the Restored Gospel in San Marcos

How arrived the restored Gospel to the People of San Marcos, Tula Of Allende, Hidalgo

By Guadalupe Monroy Mera

This manuscript was written by Guadalupe Monroy Mera, during the course of her life, detailing many historical events of the progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The manuscript was given to the Library of Brigham Young University in the 1970s.

Walter Ernest Young who was the missionary who baptized Rafael Monroy and his sisters Jovita and Guadalupe Monroy, refers this document in his diary, pages 657 and 658:

HISTORY OF SAN MARCOS, HIDALGO. REVISED

During the week of 18 to 24 January 1973, I read the story of Rama of San Marcos, Hidalgo, Mexico. Written by Miss Guadalupe Monroy. She wrote in detail the events from 1913 to 1934 entoneces in a brief narrative in an appendix, she wrote until 1962. This was very interesting for me because I knew many people who took part in the beginning of the story of Rama. Miss Monroy account of persecuiones they suffered after having joined the Church in 1913. The story is very sad when she gives details of the death of his brother Rafael Monroy and Vicente Morales mate. I was greatly impressed by the strength, faith and resignation of Mother Jesucita M. Monroy. In all she suffered, never faltered in his faith and his great leadership was what really held the small branch together.

Even with the cruel death Rafael, she was firm in his faith, and wrote this same to President King. L. Pratt in 1915. Rafael and Vincent are true martyrs. Rafael did not deny his faith. Monroy Mom was a true saint.

It was very satisfying to me that Miss Monroy gave me any honor, saying that I was the first elder to visit your home to be invited by his mother after the funeral of a former member, Jesus Sanchez, and I also shared the first message they the restored gospel. Maybe she emphasized, saying that I was too humble and prudent with the appearance of an angel!. I am grateful that I had the glorious privilege of baptizing Rafael Monroy and his two sisters Jovita and Guadeloupe on June 11, 1913.

This story gave me the Professor H. Kay Moon Brigham Young University

A photocopy of the manuscript of Guadalupe Monroy Mera is in possesion of Minerva Montoya Monroy, which has been transcribed into electronic document in Word and PDF, in Spanish ONLY.

In a section of this document Guadalupe Monroy Mera, recounts the event of the execution of his brother Rafael. Dramatic experiences in life. The entire PDF document is available in the Files section of this site.

Follow the words written by Guadalupe Monroy about the events of July 17, 1915:

"Dead of Rafael Monroy and Vicente Morales"

Written in Spanish by Guadalupe Monroy Mera, sister of Rafael Monroy

Translation to English and Italics by a great grandson of Rafael Monroy

On Saturday, July 17, 1915, in the morning, the soldiers of General Banderas and General Reyes Molina (Zapatistas officials) demanded to my brother give them a cow to eat its people. They also demanded alcohol and other indiscretions.

My brother Rafael gave the cow to them. They killed the cow, Rafael with the pretext of collecting the skin was present at the place where the cow was sacrificed. There He saw the arrival of some residents of San Miguel (San Miguel Vindhó, small village near to San Marcos, Hidalgo, Mexico). Among them one named Andres Reyes who talked with the soldiers. It was about 10:30 in the morning, and as my brother did not come to breakfast, the family was uneasy.

I took the girl Conchita (Concepcion Monroy Hernandez, Rafael’s daughter, she was 4 years old in that day) by the hand and went to where my brother was. I was stood with him as a quarter of an hour (15 minutes). He picked up the skin and came to the house. My brother washed his hands and sat at the table, went to breakfast when a group of soldiers came to take for him to open the store and take her out of what was hiding there. Whoever was there was a bricklayer named Vicente Morales >>>In August 1913, LDS Anglo - missionaries and their Mission President Rey L. Pratt left the country due to political problems between US and Mexico governments. Recommendation of the headquarters of the church was on the way to leave the country. They left the proselytism at charge of Mexican- missionaries, Vicente was a local LDS missionary who arrived to live in San Marcos since 1914. He got married in San Marcos with Eulalia Mera a Rafael’s cousin in January 1915 and He was working for Monroy’s family<<<<, who, in order to don’t let alone the store, worked doing minimal jobs as a closet. But those people did not understand.

The soldiers demanded guns because they said Rafael was Carranzista (Venustiano Carranza follower) Colonel and Vicente Morales was Carranzista soldier. As many words were spoken to justify the innocence of them was vain. The soldiers feint to my brother and Vicente Morales that if they did not deliver the arms will hang them from the highest tree.

My sister Jovita went following my brother, but those people did not hear words. The chief ordered to take the woman prisoner. I went immediately and saw that she was very distraught and sobbing voice said, "Lupe, lead me prisoner!” I thought it was the same plan of San Miguel. (Events occurred in previous days, where same Generals took prisoner Guadalupe Monroy, Rafael’s sister, see the relate in the PDF file)

I went to the store and saw my brother in middle of the crowd that they were angry talking insults and threats. I saw that brought ropes on his hands and said, "Hang them!" I begged them, "Gentlemen what will you do? My brother is innocent. Collapse the house if necessary and will find no guns”, but they doesn’t listened me and the order was to carry prisoner to this other woman.

I hugged took a tree with all my strength, but could not hold out much and I was taken prisoner. I asked who the head of the army in the town was and an officer took me to a two floor house. There he was, General Balderas lying with a woman in his arms.

I said, "Sir, have brought my brother in jail and required to deliver the guns, but no guns have. Sir, threaten their lives and the live of another. My sister, in their defense, has taken hold. I beg, Sir General give me warranties. Collapse the house if possible, but found no guns because my brother is peaceful and not revolutionary. "

General was very indifferent, he replied: "(the soliders) will do not anything”, and He continued cherishing the women.

I realized that with this man all word was in vain, and went to where the store is. There I saw my brother among these people and I was taken prisoner.

It took the terrible hours of anguish. In one room was my sister Jovita, in other room was my sister Natalia, who had to carry from our house and I was in another room. The house that was served as a prison was those that had served as lodge to the Rangel family, this family had gone from San Marcos to San Miguel.

Our anxiety was increased and at three o'clock in the afternoon I saw my brother Rafael and Vicente that they were carried to the same home as the soldiers were encamped there. They gathered all prisoners, men and women since they bringing more prisoners that did not knew where they were.

They were two young people according to their presentation were wealthy family, also a lady about forty years with a young lady of sixteen as well as wealthy family. Additionally, a man about sixty years that looked like a laborer and I cannot remember who the other prisoners were coming. We along with them were taken to kitchen of the house which was our prison.

While as prisoners stayed, my mother and my brother's wife were in the house receiving the outrages of these people. Some wanted to buy food because they could not find food to eat. Others wanted to buy goods store because they knew we had a good store. And others came with a search warrant to search for ammunition, guns, and the documents-proof that Rafael was a Carranzistas Colonel and told my mother that if her son did not deliver it had to be shot at nine in the evening.

"Gentlemen," my mother told them, "my son is a man of peace!” There has been involved with any party. If this was the case, do you think that you had found him in his home? “If you are doing this because our wealth, take all what you see, take these roll of bills (money)that have been found, but please don’t take off my son!."

Three times this General Reyes Molina came to search the house and demanding guns. They searched all departments, all the furniture, but what they must find? Because were demanding guns, but these could not give because we did not have that, but we presented them the Bible and the Book of Mormon and said, "No, no, these are not guns. We want the arms and ammunition"

The evening came; my mother went to the neighbors to ask him to accompany them to go to speak to the General Balderas and to testify that my brother was a peaceful and honest man. All neighbors simulate to have things to do and just a woman goes with her, but all claims were in vain.

In prison, my brother has his hair messy hands dirty with soil and some blood. I told him that comb his hair and He searched for his comb in his pockets but found none. He went to a faucet that was there and washed his face saying: "Wash your face to seem that do not fast."

He and I went to a window and saw my mother go and I said sobbing voice: "Mother! You as a feather in the air, alone, dragged by your pain, because all your sons are in prison. "(Rafael, the oldest, Natalia, Jovita and Guadalupe are the survival children of Jesus Mera, mother of them. Jesus Mera had lost the other son named Pablo 8 years ago, also He was widow the last 12 years, additional to this, she had lost other 8 children in their childhood)

My brother (Rafael) took out his handkerchief visibly moved out of his pocket and wiped his eyes. He had always shown poise and firmness of his innocence even though both he and Vicente had been hung from a tree into confessing where they had guns. When we met in prison, showed no anger and He was always strong.

Night came, and then requested by us my brother wrote a message to a Captain who was in those people named Vicente Ortega. My mother took us to prison dinner and my brother wrote the message. My mother referred him to the Captain. The content of the message was from pleading that he could see the innocence of my brother, in the circumstances against him were doing and then we could regain their freedom.

My mother goes with the message and we at the prison were preparing to make dinner. My brother asked for prayer that we would take food. Outside noise was heard and footsteps of several men and guns sound. Was the squad of soldiers approached the door and named the name of Rafael Monroy and Vicente Morales. Both responded to this. Leaving the door my brother said, "Nata, come with me!" (“Nata” was the nickname of Natalia) My sister Natalia was stopped and was going out after him, but the guards refused. She sat back in her place.

Our hearts beat rush and a deep silence reigned in the prison. The prisoners looked at each other. In this condition we were when we heard the blast from the discharge of rifles and then another shot.

We fainted and burst our crying. Then we heard the cries out of my mother, who upon hearing the discharge of guns, to be returned to the place where her children were.

Consumption was the criminal work of those angry people!

My mother returned home giving vent to his bitter tears of pain with others members of the family, while us three sisters, at times we waited for the cruelty and infamy of the soldiers. Among the sayings of the men, as many soldiers were housed there, some said, "What courage of this man! He died with his boots in his place! "Others said "What find in his home? Killed the bricklayer, why? "

Any reflection was too late. My brother was already dead.

The night was too dark and a little wet because it had rained a little. My sister Jovita suffered vomit and disturbed her stomach. Often we asked permission to go outside in the middle of the shadows of the night and through the small reflections of a light bulb that illuminated the yard, I saw some sheep and sacrificed the blood of these ran along the ground. My soul was stirred emotion.

Later I learned that those sheep were ours. They had gone to the ranch and brought every animal was found also they took everything from the store. They took the bed linen of Vicente. All articles they took.

On July 17, 1915 was a Saturday. So my brother Rafael and Vicente were killed as a half past eight or nine in the evening.

Burial of Rafael Monroy and Vicente Morales

At Sunday 18 July 1915 at six in the morning, my mom with my sister-in law Guadalupe Hernandez Monroy, went to see General Juan Balderas and beg for our freedom. This gave the order to give us free, but while we knew that, the troops were preparing to leave the town. My sister Natalia saw walking a neighbor, a shoemaker man and called him recommended him to advise to some friend of my Brother, can help my mother in the burial of Rafael and Vicente

At six in the morning we were released. We went to the place where the bodies were of our brothers. There were many people watching the sad spectacle. They were all local people and our acquaintances, but no one dared to approach us and help us to raise those bodies. With the few men that my brother had in his ranch and ourselves we were able to raise those bodies.

At about ten o'clock in the morning and we were all assembled in the house accompanied those bodies. Around three in the afternoon the brother Casimiro Gutierrez ordered to hold a Funeral Meeting. In the house had met a fair number of women at the humble who accompanied us and cried with us.

I do not remember all the points that the brother Casimiro tried in his preaching, also the speech of another brother who accompanied him, but I guess that talked about hope in the resurrection of the dead.

We are singing the last hymn of the Funeral Meeting when a group of ladies arrived from the town, those who had said so much against the Mormons and had set the Zapatistas arrived to destroy this “wild father” , Rafael, who was misdirecting the people with their new doctrine.

As soon as that group of ladies arrived, they were going out every pitied poor women who were accompanying us and cried with us. The group of ladies pretended to give us sympathy and each nerve diseases said they had experienced. So was the visit of the ladies, the leading Catholic in this town have said much against the Mormons.

A woman named Petra, who despite being Catholic, we had shown a sincere friendship, he said: "Whoever hears Pomponcita to Flavita, and all of them seem to speak the truth, but they have said much. Perhaps the guilt of having brought here. "

Whatever it is, our grief was profound. The loss of my brother was in repair. We have no more comfort and hope to know that the Lord saw all human injustice. And with all the fervor of our being prayed enlighten our minds to leave this ungrateful people who rejected the divine light.

What do we do? We wondered to each other Where do we go? "We'll go to the U.S.? My brother before I had this thought. As our thoughts to meditate on what we do and we spent the day crying Sunday, 18 July 1915. Come again another group of soldiers that day. They came with more respect to search the house to get the arms and ammunition they had been told that we had. They searched all departments and locations in the house. They entered the room where were the bodies and respectfully took off his hat, left the house and said, "Why not deliver the guns?" "Gentlemen," he replied, "If we had guns, do you believe be here so tristícimo from this table? "" Oh, Lord, "said the head that made her. "Why do not these people were before? All are accused of having guns. " And they went.

So we spent the day Sunday and Monday came and we had to bury those killed. With great difficulty we find who made the boxes to bury them, but nobody was able to Tula. As a neighbor in this town was one and the other was made by brother Margarito Sanchez Villalobos with one of his sons. On Monday at ten o'clock in the morning I went with the laborers to carry the dead and to the tombs. I accompanied the brother Casimiro and Gabriel Rosales had already arrived. The latter made the prayer to dedicate the grave.

Many people in the city whose they know us Tula told me: "Why not go from the town before, far away from those people who hates you?" Oh! This hurt me deeply my heart, but I reflected: "It was late!"

All we had not approached by friends. Even our brothers in faith were hiding some. How could he tell? Our relatives were far away and all means of communication were disrupted. We were alone at home without a leader. What to do? So we spent the day Monday.

The soldiers continued afflicting the Monroy Family

On Tuesday we got up raising our prayers and thinking to do. We started doing the housework and do that make the kitchen as a ten in the morning our hearts and could not hold back our tears and started to cry. For comfort we kneel in a circle all that we inhabited the house and we offer a pray.

Just had just said the word "Amen" when a knock at the door. It was another group of soldiers with orders to re-search again the house because they were informed that we had a lot of ammunition and guns and uniforms and money. We were asked to deliver those things to them if we refuse that would have to take prisoners all that we were in the house.

With my mother's anguished voice cries: "Nothing can give that we have nothing. They killed my son unfairly because they did not want to hear that we are not Carrancistas. The hatred of these people is because we are not Catholic. We believe in the true doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ and that is the great cause of slander. "

The men said: "We have orders, you must deliver your guns and all that you have or we will take you prisoners."

My eyes wandered looking for something to leave that decision when we saw the entrance of the gate two ladies approaching bereaved to come. She was the wife and daughter of the superintendent of the La Tolteca cement factory who came to greet us. We told them the decision of those troops and the Lady said, "It is violence that they have done with these gentlemen. My husband was on that day in Tula to arrange matters with General Fierros some cement trucks that were left between trains that left the Constitutionalists. For this could not be here to witness the Mister Monroy and his family was peaceful person. Gentlemen, as I have told you is slander. And the slander of people have made this violence. "

Also Miss testified. Then this men told us: "Why not go out of the town before ladies? All the people are accused. "

Those men left. We stayed with the lady and her daughter Mainny for a long time, our minds distracted us with their visit.

This story is complete in the files section (spanish only)