Russell held a number of positions of responsibility, including being one of the first missionaries to England, with Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Orson Hyde, Joseph Fielding, and J. E. Goodson.

Russell wrote letters to those he had converted in Alston, England, secretly telling them of his new beliefs and plans, trying to persuade them to join him.

[2] Russell stayed in Far West, among anti-Mormon mobs, never rejoined the Latter Day Saints, and died in 1844 on his farm near Richmond, Missouri, of "swamp fever."

[2] Isaac's widow Mary Russell and their children never denied their faith in Joseph Smith and were never excommunicated.

In 1861, after saving enough money, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory and lived among friends and family in the Latter-day Saint community.