Years ago, in 1999, I found myself in Las Vegas at a “magic show.” (I’m constantly attempting to “find myself” and every once in a while, I find myself in Las Vegas) That time, I found myself in the Lance Burton Theater at the Monte Carlo Resort/Casino.

One of the guys in the conversation on Sunday was a Sanpete guy I hadn’t previously met. His name: Lance Burton. He was obviously not the magician with the same name, but, for fun, I told him that I had enjoyed his magic show in Las Vegas back in the day. He said, “I get people telling me that once in a while.”

The other Lance was a master magician and is now retired after headlining a Vegas show for 28 years. I remember his show as being a lot of fun. Watching a really good illusionist perform is not only fun, but it’s baffling as well.

I remember one guy yelled from the audience after one of the tricks, “How did you do that?” Lance called back, I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” The guy answered, “You can kill my wife.” Lance fired back, “Thank you for attending the performance tonight Mr. President.” (This was during the Clinton White House days.)

We’ve enjoyed magic shows quite a number of times over the years in various places. Our most recent magic show was when our whole family saw Nathan Burton (no relation to Lance) in Vegas at Thanksgiving time in 2022. He baffled us. I think we like being baffled.

Probably the most memorable night of magic we’ve ever had was in May of 2009. That’s when I found myself with my family in Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. (I find myself in Salt Lake more often than I do in Las Vegas.)

The world-renowned David Copperfield was in town. We had great seats on the front row of the balcony. (Always great seats when you can get them)

Again, I was baffled by the illusions and wanted to be the guy to call out, “How did you do that?” Then at the end of the show, I felt like I got a lucky break.

My wife was randomly selected to be one of 13 audience members to go onstage for the big last illusion of the night. These audience members were selected to be “made to vanish.” With Diane as part of the illusion, I’d finally get an explanation as to how a major magic trick was done.

As David Copperfield talked and built up the tension for the vanishing act, I found myself wondering less about the “how” of the trick and more about the “where” of the family life insurance policies. I wondered how long a person had to be “disappeared” prior to submitting a claim.

As it turned out, Diane did “disappear.” She also reappeared. So, the life insurance questions became irrelevant and the “how did he do that trick” question became the main issue.

After the show, we asked Diane what happened to make her vanish. As she tightly held onto her autographed photo of David Copperfield which was personally presented to her, she fervently replied — “I don’t know.”

We asked the same question several different ways. She evidently took a pledge of some sort because “no way, no how” was she giving up any secrets. I’m not sure that waterboarding her would get the information out of her even now. I personally think she was put under a spell or perhaps I just don’t understand the power of a glossy 8-by-10 signed photo.

What I do believe is that all of the illusions in magic shows are based on persuading the audience to assume things using common everyday logic; when in fact, a higher non-commonplace logic is at work.

I’ll now attempt to make a brief point, which may seem like a “stretch.” We as citizens need to do some research and fact gathering before risking false assumptions. There are many times we, as casual observers, notice situations which exist around us. We learn of decisions which are made by leaders in our communities or churches or civic organizations.

We sometimes see the final proposal or product without seeing the evolution, the work or the logic behind the situation or decision. We make assumptions without having the benefit of all the information. The truth is that in many cases, there’s more to it than meets the eye – just like magic tricks.

So, if at first glance, we find that we are immediately possessed of a strong opinion, opposed, or in favor — either one, relative to a proposal, an ordinance, a regulation, or a situation; we should ask ourselves some questions like: “Do I have all the facts? Is there more to this than meets the eye? Where is the logic? How can I better understand the reasons other people have for their opinions?”

I believe that if we take that approach, we’ll have a more productive problem-solving society. And if we have to waterboard somebody to get the facts, well – I’ll let you know if and when my interrogation measures are eventually successful with my wife.

— Merrill