Why did the LDS collect all the birth/death/marriage records?
The LDS church is involved extensively in Genealogy. They use this data and perform proxy baptisms and marriages for the dead in the temples and “seal” families together. The LDS view is that marriages that are performed in the temples can last for eternity, and not just this life. They do this work for the dead as the dead can’t perform it themselves. We also believe that everyone must be baptized BY THE PROPER AUTHORITY to enter the kingdom of heaven. If the dead accept the gospel and accept the baptism, it will act as a saving ordinance for them. I know this probably sounds bizarre, but if you learn the basics and work your way into this question it makes sense.
