Joseph Robinson has a very unique story, in that he was kicked out of the Kingston polygamy group for questioning authority in how they were neglectfully treating his mother's cancer. While in the Order, he was required to pursue his degree in physics with the intent to have him work in the Kingston labs. After being kicked out, he had the freedom to choose his own career, in which he had the luxury to changed his major two times before HE decided to major in finance. He was able to receive a scholarship that allowed him to continue his education at the University of Utah. He further received assistance through Holding Out HELP in paying for books and providing a host home. In a world of suffering and pain, he found strength and hope through magic. He was able to use magic as a resource to help him emotionally cope as he transitioned out of polygamy. He was also able to use magic to support himself financially, as he hosted magic shows within the community and started the YouTube channel @MagicPranksJohn. In his own words, he shares a little excerpt of his story below, which emits his zest for life.
“I’d like to introduce myself to you. My name is John Joseph Robinson. I grew up in a polygamist group in Salt Lake City, Utah called the Order. My dad had 14 wives and 157 kids the day I left. I’m not sure how many he has now because when I was 20 years old, my dad told me I needed to leave the group and he hasn’t really had much contact with me since that day. The Order was very structured, strict and sometimes unreasonable for my liking. It was my interest in magic at the age of 13 and the death of my mother that made me question many things I was expected to believe as an Order member.
As a young kid, I believed just about anything I was told including the idea that magic was real. My gullibility led me to investigate magic at the age of 13. During this stage in life, I was very awkward, and shy but magic transformed me. I envisioned myself as a superhero with the power to do actual magic. I’ve known at a young age that every superhero needs a mask, I concluded that learning illusions would be my mask, people would not be able to tell the difference between the actual magic and the illusions. As I performed these illusions, a new part of my personality emerged. I became outgoing and positive as I began to connect to people and enjoy watching their reaction to my performance. After 1-1/2 years, magic opened up a whole new world to me but not the one I originally expected. I loved performing and that shy, awkward boy became very confident at connecting to and opening up to others.
Fast-forward to when I was 20, my mother, who I loved with all my heart, became very ill and passed away. It was a very tragic time for me and my father handled it in a very uncompassionate way. I was very open with my brothers and sisters about how unfair my dad was through this difficult time. When I see something wrong happening, I can’t just stand back and let it happen. I have to speak up. This contributed to me being kicked out of the Order and going into a very dark and depressing time. Performing magic was the main thing that helped me deal with the loss of my mother and separation from my brothers and sisters. Eventually, magic led me to start making YouTube videos of me doing magic tricks @MagicPranksJohn and was a great distraction from my suffering and a lot of fun. It also led me to the people who have included me in their family. They saw me on YouTube performing magic and were immediately interested in learning more about me. Ever since our first meeting, they’ve welcomed me into their home, loved me, shown great respect for my beliefs and have encouraged me in reaching my dreams.
Another thing magic has done for me is it helped me earn my way through the University of Utah where I am completing a degree as a Finance major and Math minor with only two classes, this summer to complete. I was able to perform magic for an insurance board that was so impressed they gave me a generous scholarship that helped pay my college tuition. This summer, I’ll begin working full-time at an incredible job with Celtic bank in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Magic has helped me get through extremely hard situations, build relationships, confidence and love for life. Maybe I didn’t find the “real magic” I was looking for when I was 13 years old, but I did find happiness and success because of it. ”
As you can see, John Joseph Robinson is the perfect example of success. He found a coping mechanism to help him through the struggle out of polygamy. It is not an easy journey. As we have mentioned before, many do struggle; John Joseph has struggled himself, but again that success comes through persevering. Not only has he persevered through his education and career, but he is also sharing his amazing talent with magic by hosting events in the Salt Lake City area.
You can also follow him through his YouTube channel @MagicPranksJohn
Photo courtesy of John Joseph Robinson | Hosting a magic show at a local Utah high school at the age of 17 years.