Isaac Russell was converted to the church through Parley P. Pratt, a missionary sent by Joseph Smith to Toronto, Canada, and who, at the time, was staying at his (Isaac's) sister's home.
His sister, Isabella Walton, a widow, had opened her home as a place where Elder Pratt could preach the gospel.
The story is that when Heber C. Kimball set Elder Pratt apart, he said, "Thou shalt go to upper Canada, even the city of Toronto, the capital, and there thou shalt find a people prepared for a fullness of the Gospel."
Fulfillment of this prophecy had a lasting impact upon Isaac and his family.
"Brother Pratt traveled as instructed and asked John Taylor and each of the Toronto Clergy, for the opportunity to preach in their houses or to their congregations and was completely refused by them as well as by the sheriff and the city officers.
"After praying in a nearby grove of trees, he returned to John Taylor's home to reclaim his baggage, and while talking with Mr. Taylor met Isabella's Aunt, a Mrs. Walton.
"My Aunt immediately addressed Brother Pratt saying, 'I am a widow but I have a large room in which you can speak and a bedroom at your disposal as long as you wish to remain'.
"Her offer was gratefully accepted, and by night she had notified all of her relatives and neighbors. So it was in the house of my father's sister that the fulfillment of that prophesy had a beginning.
"My Aunt, Mrs. Walton, sent the word of this strange new gospel to Charlton settlement where my father and a number of relatives were living only a short distance from Toronto.
"Father at first objected to even giving Bro. Pratt a hearing but rememberd the injunction 'Hear all things and hold fast to that which is good.' He attended the first meeting, and at the close he arose and said, 'This is the gospel I have been looking for and that I can live and die by'.
"My father and mother, his relatives, and nearly all of the little settlement were baptized by Bro. Pratt. My father was confirmed and set apart as an Elder at the water's edge with authority to preach the gospel.
"Later, under the inspiration of the gospel, he became a powerful speaker on his mission for the Church."