Rafael Monroy and Vicente Morales's Martyrdom and Miraculous Courage

During the Mexican Revolution, Rafael Monroy and Vicente Morales were arrested by Zapatistas, tortured, and questioned about non-existent weapons. They refused to renounce their religion and were ultimately executed by a firing squad. Before being shot, Monroy knelt and prayed for his loved ones, the struggling branch, and his executioners, using the Savior's words, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' A soldier noted their extraordinary courage and prayer.

On July 17, 1915, at 9:00 P.M., Rafael Monroy and Vicente Morales were executed by a firing squad in the village of San Marcos. The Zapatista commander, General Reyes Molina, had demanded food, weapons, and ammunition, and falsely accused Monroy of harboring a secret arms cache and acting as a Carrancista colonel. Before the executions, the men were force-marched to a tree and hung to unconsciousness several times to coerce a confession, but Monroy refused to betray his faith, stating that his only 'arms' were his Bible and Book of Mormon. When offered clemency if they would renounce their religion, they refused, with Monroy declaring, 'Gentlemen, I cannot renounce my religion because I know that I have made covenants and have accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.' Upon their deaths, one of the executioners reportedly remarked, 'What bravery! They died with their boots on.'