By 1882 Ivins was a prominent figure both politically and ecclesiastically in St. George, having been elected prosecuting attorney of Washington County and member of the St. George City Council while serving also on the St. George LDS Stake High Council. However, once again Ivins was called on a mission, this time to Mexico City. To finance the mission, the people of St. George gave a benefit performance of "The False Friend" with romantic leads taken by Josephine Snow and Anthony W. Ivins. This performance provided Ivins with $109.95 which, with $56.25 in contributions from other sources enabled him to leave for a two-year stay in Mexico. This experience provided the background for later, lengthy associations with that country. Ivins learned Spanish during this period; so well that his fluency was admired frequently by native Spanish speakers, including President Porforio Diaz of Mexico, who told Ivins that he spoke as well as a Castilian.

After Ivins' return from the Mexican Mission in 1884, he once more settled in St. George; again was active in local politics; and became a rancher. He was the manager of the Mojave Land and Cattle Company and one of the owners of the Kaibab Cattle Company, the two largest owners of cattle on the Arizona Strip.