How do Latter-day Saints understand the purpose of baptism?

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, baptism is a fundamental religious rite that signifies repentance and obedience to God’s commandments. It is considered an essential requirement for salvation.1

The practice is administered to children at the age of eight and to adult converts. Furthermore, the church performs baptism by proxy for those who have died without having the opportunity to receive the ordinance during their lifetime. This practice is closely linked to the church's extensive work in genealogy, as members seek to identify ancestors to offer them the same opportunity for salvation through these sacred ceremonies.1