Anthony Manley of the Grindstone Creek Ward joked with President Musser just days before his mission call came that he was fine going anywhere but California. Then the call came, and he first envisioned the province of Canada that bordered the Great Lakes. Then he realized that it said, ‘California Ontario Mission,’ and his next two Christmases would be in view of palm trees, not snow. Despite his joking, Anthony knows he was called by God and assigned to that exact place.
Anthony wasn’t always certain he would serve a mission, but after receiving and studying his patriarchal blessing, he knew he wanted and needed to go. Like many people, public speaking and being out in front of people is a little daunting, but that hasn’t stopped him from stepping out into this public service.
“I’m very excited to grow my testimony and be able to help people,” he said. “I know I will love the people and make new friends along the way.”
The way to the MTC wasn’t always smooth roads. Anthony has worked on cars his whole life and is a mechanic. Even so, he noticed that when he started filling out his mission papers, his own car started to have lots of issues and required more time and money than he had anticipated.
“I’ve been blessed to be able to fix all those problems and keep the car going,” he said.
He recognized that the Lord has helped him through it. One example was when he was driving to meet the missionaries to help teach a lesson. He hit a pothole that dented his tire rim. While it could have stopped him and just added to the list of reasons he could go home, he realized the car could drive without harm, and he kept his appointment with the missionaries.
He knows there will be challenges in the mission field and there will be struggles to overcome. But he also knows that it’s not just him that will be working on it.
“One thing I have definitely learned is that I won’t convert people,” he said. “But I believe I can plant a seed by talking to others. It’s not just me. It’s the Lord that does the converting.”