I see you stopped short of Matthew 19:25-26.
"When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, 'Who then can be saved?'"
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this (salvation) is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
The purpose of Jesus' comment to the rich ruler was to prove that point.
In Matthew 19:25-26 notice the word “with”. God saves us if we believe (a work) and if we follow Jesus Christ (a work).
Notice the further commentary about this event to Peter in the account of Mark:
Mark 10:28 ¶ Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Again, Jesus is saying if you sacrifice (more works) you will be rewarded in the lifetime to come.
Boy, it sure sounds like Mormon theology lines up the best. We believe in grace of Jesus after we exert some effort. We believe in doing it “with” Jesus.