In the past 10 years, the number of full-time missionaries serving from countries outside the United States has more than doubled, surpassing 10,000 at the end of 1987.

In 1978, some 4,709 missionaries from 47 countries and five territories were serving. At the beginning of this year, that number had increased to 10,608 missionaries serving from 71 countries and six territories, according to Missionary Department statistics. These missionaries make up almost a third of the missionary total.

Many countries with large numbers of missionaries are in Latin areas, while others include the Philippines, some Pacific island missions and Caribbean areas. Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Africa have shown gains this year.

The numbers of local missionaries are high in the top-baptizing missions of the world. And, according to mission leaders, these local missionaries have changed the complexion, if not the image, of missionary work.

For example, in years past American missionaries in a far country would sometimes introduce their message by saying, "We've come halfway around the world to tell you about the gospel."

Today, local missionaries explain that their gospel message is, more or less, brought by a neighbor from next door.

"The Spirit is very much the same," said Elder Fernandez Garcia, serving in the Mexico Monterrey Mission.

"But," he added, "for we who know the culture, who know the traditions, and who can be understood, it is much easier." He gives a simple, short answer as to why he postponed a promising career as a civil engineer to join the throngs of local missionaries:

"For love."

In the Monterrey mission, 210 of 240 missionaries are from Mexico, said Elder Garcia. The Monterrey area also supplies many missionaries, he said. The Church, well established here with eight stakes, has continuing programs to prepare youths for missions, including callings as stake missionaries.

Tongan missionaries make up 93 percent of those in the Tonga mission and are being sent to other countries, said mission Pres. Eric B. Shumway.

"We have a lot of young people who are converts to the Church," he said. "They went through the conversion process, and they know how to teach."

Missionaries dress and act with "classic Tongan virtues, and nothing is so moving to the older generation," he said. "The missionaries are irresistible that way.

"Tongan missionaries are competent, spiritual and well-prepared; they make a difference in Tonga and anywhere else they serve," he continued.

Brazil is another country where many young people are answering calls to serve.

Elder Eric Koford of Salem, Ore., is one of 39 North Americans in the Brazilian-led Brazil Forteleza Mission. From his perspective, being invited into a home is sometimes a case of novelty as well as interest in religion. Sometimes a Brazilian family will invite a tall, blond North American into their home and let him stay just to watch him, he said.

On one hand, Brazilian elders are proficient at teaching. On the other hand, North Americans often have wider Church experience and deeper insight into the gospel, he said. North Americans with Brazilian companions learn the customs and language quicker and better than they do with other North Americans. And the Brazilians learn more about the Church.

Companions from different countries get along well, though each usually likes to brag a little about his country, said Elder Koford. "We heard a lot about it when Brazil recently beat the U.S. team at the Pan American Games in 1987T in basketball," he said.

In Peru, Pres. Glen L. Slight of the Peru Lima South Mission said investigators are taught during the missionary lessons, that "every member is a missionary. If they are even close to missionary age when they are baptized, they are thinking, `I am going on a mission.' "

He said about 80 percent of his missionary force is Peruvian. Eleven of twelve zone leaders are from Peru. "They are good, hard workers, totally dedicated to the work.

"We are enormously proud of them," he said. "They are carrying the ball for us."